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Drumlanrig Christmas Market: Is the Christmas Market at the ‘Pink Palace’ Scotland’s Best Christmas Market?

Drumlanrig is a castle and stately home situated approximately a 30-minute drive north of Dumfries. It is one of the real wonders of Dumfries and Galloway and a brilliant place to visit. Everyone says the Christmas Fair is amazing, so I decided to go along and see what all the fuss was about.

Drumlanrig Castle

Drumlanrig Castle can trace its origins back into the mists of time, although that isn’t really the purpose of this article. I must let a little of the history geek out; however, this is not the focus here, so I shall be brief.

Drumlanrig is intertwined with the history of the Douglas family, which can trace its heritage back over 600 years. The current building that forms the castle and home of Drumlanrig dates from the 17th century and is known as the Pink Palace due to the hue of the local Dumfries sandstone. It is one of the most intact and finest examples of palace (or great house) architecture around.

The Pink Palace and its wider estate are now part of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry holdings and form a key cornerstone of the rural economy in the local area.

These days, it is perhaps better known for its adventure playground, collection of fine art, attractive cottage stays, country pursuits, fishing, and, of course, the Christmas Fair.

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The Christmas Fair

As you enter the grounds, you follow a normal road through fields dotted with some very fine sheep. Slowly turning a corner, you come upon an avenue of trees lined on both sides of the road, with the castle squarely in front of you. It impresses upon you its majesty, wealth, history, and grandeur.

This was not my first visit to Drumlanrig, and yet the spectacle as you come down the main driveway still impresses. It is certainly an imposing entrance for a Christmas fair.

As you get closer, once the initial impressiveness of the castle fades, your attention is drawn to the tent, stalls, lights, Christmas tree, and the smell of food stalls preparing their offerings. It almost had a film-set feel in the build-up to opening, which is understandable given that Drumlanrig has been used as a filming location for both Outlander and The Buccaneers.

The grounds of the castle were opened up for this Christmas market, so before we began exploring the stalls, we had a look around. As we arrived before the market officially started, we were able to have a nosey around and watch stallholders setting up and getting ready, which felt like an unofficial behind-the-scenes tour. Walking around the grounds while they were still quiet was a wonderful way to experience them.

The main Christmas market takes place in the quad. Around the side, near the stable block, there is also a range of small shops and craftspeople who sell their goods throughout the year. There was also a Santa’s Grotto, with a Nordic Santa, and a great café that sold the best brie and cranberry paninis.

The Market

Before talking about the marketplace itself, we need to mention the real highlight of the whole event for me: the tractor ride from the lower car park up to the main square and back again. I think we sat on it for about ten minutes, going back and forth. To be fair, a free tractor ride with a small boy or toddler at Christmas is possibly the best thing ever. I certainly enjoyed it.

By the time we had explored the grounds, the stable-block shops, and, of course, the adventure playground, we returned via tractor to explore the stalls once more. By now, the main tent was a hubbub of activity, with stallholders lively in demonstrations, discussion, and sales, while customers chatted about their wares. The atmosphere was fantastic.

There was a whole host of interesting stalls, from brilliant fashion items by Falling Leaf Clothing, to the delightful sweets of Galloway Fudge, to the well-respected Dark Sky Gin. There was something for everyone, even if you were simply there to browse and soak in the atmosphere.

You can read the full list of stallholders below or here.

The market did not disappoint. It was an eclectic mix of stallholders, with a buzzy, happy atmosphere. Being in a space where people shopped, conversed, ate, and made merry was a fantastic way to get into the Christmas spirit.

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Is It the Best Christmas Market in Scotland?

It has great local producers, a truly unique setting, and far less of the hellish hustle and bustle found in markets in Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Aberdeen. You can visit a Nordic Santa, wander historic country gardens, and enjoy tractor rides — free tractor rides.

In short, yes, it is the best. It was very well attended, dog-friendly, and had a genuinely buzzy marketplace atmosphere. It was also a great place to find interesting and different gifts that you wouldn’t find on the high street.

The only downside is that it is only on for one weekend each year.

Overall, I would suggest this is an event well worth becoming a Christmas tradition. It is a quality setting that creates the magic of Christmas without the soul-crushing, inner-Grinch-inducing crowds.

How to Get There

From Dumfries, take the A76 north towards Kilmarnock. Continue on the A76 for around 15 miles.

At Carronbridge, turn left onto the A702, signposted for Thornhill. Follow the A702 for a short distance, then turn right, following signs for Drumlanrig Castle. Continue along the estate road until you reach the car parks.

The journey takes around 30 minutes by car.

About Drumlanrig

To learn more and plan your visit to Drumlanrig, visit their website, Facebook, or Instagram pages.

Stallholders and Traders

There was a wonderful selection of stallholders, traders, craftspeople, and food and beverage stands.

Stallholders / Traders

Food & Drink / Catering

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