Envision a grand red sandstone house. This is Drummohr. It stands proudly a testament to centuries of history.
Drummohr House a neo-classical marvel was built in the 18th century. A lawyer named Dalrymple created it. He envisioned it as the perfect spot for his Edinburgh summer parties. This wasn’t the first Drummohr. The original home was destroyed in a fire during the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745 by the Jacobites. The current Drummohr replaced it. It’s named after its builder Hew Dalrymple of Drummore. He was a prominent figure in Edinburgh during the Scottish Enlightenment. The Dalrymples were a powerful aristocratic family. Their other home Newhailes House and Gardens is another impressive example of their legacy.
Drummohr has seen many changes. It served as a Passionist monastery. Later it became an outbuilding for Loretto School. It even functioned as a hotel and a care home. Today it remains a private residence. Its history is rich and varied reflecting the changing tides of Scottish history. A fascinating detail the old riding stables are now a hub for artistic projects. Re-named the Big Shed they house Vision Mechanics. This organisation fosters collaboration creating original high-quality arts projects and open-air augmented reality shows.
The grounds themselves have a story to tell. In 2000 a section was transformed into a campsite. A ten-meter-tall boundary wall remains. This wall once enclosed an 18th-century walled garden. Its sturdy presence is a tangible link to Drummohr’s past. You can even see an old timber access door near the family bothies. It’s a captivating glimpse into the house’s rich past. The name Drummohr itself comes from the Gaelic druim mór meaning big ridge. There may be no big ridge nearby. But Arthurs Seat is visible from the Firth of Forth. The lodges at the campsite are named after nearby hills. The Pentland and Lammermuir hills.
Drummohr’s story isn’t simply about bricks and mortar. It’s about people. About the Dalrymples and their lavish parties. About the Passionist Fathers and their spiritual lives. About the students of Loretto School and their games on the grounds. It’s a story of transformation and resilience. The estate continues to evolve. Drummohr’s past is intimately woven into its present. The house continues its story waiting to be discovered. Drummohr stands as a powerful reminder of the past. Yet it continues to reinvent itself for the future.