From Castle to Studio: Introducing Our Latest Residency Location…
Our artist-in-residence partnership with The Dot Project finds its next setting in one of Scotland’s most storied estates: Drumlanrig Castle. Rising from the landscape of Dumfries and Galloway, this remarkable house embodies more than six centuries of intertwined family lineage, political intrigue, architectural ambition and artistic heritage. It is here, within this historic environment, that artist Sebastián Espejo is creating his newest body of work.
A Heritage Rooted in the 14th Century
Drumlanrig’s origins reach back to the late Middle Ages when William Douglas, son of James, 2nd Earl of Drumlanrig, became the first Laird. From that point, the Douglas family forged a relationship with the Scottish Crown that was at times cooperative and at others fraught with tension. Although James Douglas was among the nobles who forced Mary Queen of Scots into exile in 1567, her son, James VI of Scotland and I of England, later visited Drumlanrig in 1617, rekindling royal favour. Loyalty to the monarchy would again define the family in the 17th century: William Douglas, 3rd Earl of Queensberry, a steadfast supporter of Charles II, was elevated to 1st Duke of Queensberry in 1684. The grand residence that stands today was built during this era to reflect that rising power and prestige.
The Rise of the Buccleuch Line
While the Douglases were shaping Drumlanrig’s early story, another influential Border family was gaining prominence: the Scotts of Buccleuch. Their involvement in Scotland’s political and economic life dates back to the 15th century, including the development of Granton Harbour under the 5th Duke, an early example of the family’s commercial foresight.
One of the most vivid characters from their lineage was Walter Scott, known as Bold Buccleuch for his daring Border exploits. Knighted in 1590, he became the first Lord Scott of Buccleuch in 1606. The later marriage of his great-granddaughter Anna to James, Duke of Monmouth, united the Scotts with the Montagus. When the 4th Duke of Queensberry died in 1810, Drumlanrig passed into their hands, forming the full family surname: Montagu Douglas Scott, the lineage that still owns the castle today.
The “Pink Palace”: Architecture and Presence
Drumlanrig Castle, often called the ‘Pink Palace’ for its rosy sandstone, stands as one of Scotland’s finest examples of late 17th-century Renaissance architecture. Although construction was completed in 1697, its design traces back to plans from 1618, blending Gothic strength with elegant classical detail. The structure forms a vast hollow square, crowned with turrets and accessed by staircases housed in curved towers. The Douglas emblem, the winged heart, is carved generously around windows and entrances. Built over ten years and completed just after the 1688 Revolution, it reflects the ambition of the 1st Duke of Queensberry at the height of his influence. Over time, the castle experienced periods of neglect, especially following shifts in inheritance, yet it was revived in the 19th century when its Buccleuch owners undertook extensive restoration. Today, it remains a commanding presence in the richly wooded valley of the River Nith - a landscape so cinematic that the team behind Outlander selected it as a filming location.
Home to Masterpieces
Drumlanrig houses a significant segment of the Buccleuch Art Collection, one of the most important private collections in the country. Visitors encounter works ranging from Rembrandt and Gainsborough to Allan Ramsay, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and landscape masters of the Dutch Golden Age.
The castle is particularly celebrated for its furniture and decorative arts, including exquisite pieces by the famed French cabinetmaker André Charles Boulle, tapestries, silver and fine porcelain, all displayed within the context of a still-lived-in home.
Where History Meets Contemporary Creativity
Within these ancient walls, our latest artist in residence, Sebastián Espejo, is crafting a series of works inspired by Drumlanrig’s atmosphere. His practice, deeply attuned to light, landscape, and the ephemeral quality of perception, connects naturally with the estate’s changing skies, monumental architecture and layered history.
At Drumlanrig, the land becomes more than subject matter: it becomes a collaborator. This Autumn, the castle’s enduring presence provides a setting where contemporary art can converse with the past.
