drummond letter
This is a letter that has been handed down in our family and I am curious as to who the people are that are mentioned in the letter.If you recognize this letter, please email me [email protected]
This letter was written on october 7, 1989
Dear Jeanette and all the Drummond Kin
Gayle and I have just returned from Scotland where we visited drummond castle, the little town of Muthill where the castle is located and a number of scotland towns and villages, including the town of Edinburgh.It was a wonderful and exciting trip for us.Our trip was planned for England, but when we received the family tree information from you, we decided to include scotland in our trip.We were anxious to see the Drummond Castle and gardens.It was not a simple thing to do as I spent four days and nights in London seeing plays, sightseeing, shopping and visiting museums.On Saturday, Louise Burress (my sister-in-law)and I made a train trip to norwhich where her husband was stationed during the war, we toured the air base where he was (some of it is still in fairly good repair, some not so good, and some in excellent repair as there is still an airbase (civilian) located there).
We took many pictures and visited the Library room that has been built and dedicated to the 8th Army boys who were stationed in the shipdam near by.
On Sunday morning we flew to Scotland and landed in Edinburgh about noon.We were acquainted with relatives of some folks who lived there and we were to contact them when we arrived. We did and they picked us up at our hotel and toured us around edinburgh.The lady told us that she had arranged for us to take a bus trip to Creif the next day and we would get to see Drummond Castle.I was so excited that I was finally going to see the castle that you found out about.The next day at noon we left on the bus tour which stopped first at Stirling Castle. It was approximately 40 miles from Edinburgh.On the return trip we were to come back by the castle (we thought). When we were within 2 miles of Muthill where the castle is located, the driver told us it was not part of his tour since the castle gardens were closed that day so he could not take us by.I was really devastated at this point and I became more so when we arrived back in Edinburgh about 7p.m. after a five hour trip. When we arrived back at our hotel, we discussed our disappointment and our alternatives.I didn't see any as we were to leave the next day and we knew this particular tour did not go to the castle and we did not know a tour which did.Gayle was not to be beaten however. She said we had not come 8 thousand miles to see a castle and get this close and then give up. We went to bed very disturbed. Louise was very supportive and thought we should stay an additional day and work out the details to visit the castle, but our trip was planned at every juncture with hotels, car rentals, etc. I decided the next morning that I was willing to concede defeat - especially since I was told by the folks we knew in edinburgh that the castle was in ruins. Gayle was not willing to concede defeat however. Early the next morning our last full day in edinburgh - we went down to the tourist bureau to research our alternatives. They gave us what little literature they had on the castle which said that cromwell plundered and destroyed the castle in the 1700's.I knew your research had not revealed this. Gayle was determined to find out for sure. She called several car rental places and rented a car and driver to taked us to Drummond Castle. The lady we happened to secure (after the 3rd call)was a lovely person who not only knew where the castle was but assured us it was still intact, maybe not as it was in the 1700's but nevertheless it was there. we set out at 2p.m. in the afternoon knowing that our plane left at 7:30 for england. On the way to the town of Muthill she took a different absolutely lovely route and the scenery was magnificent. I
really cannot describe the countryside, so I am sending ictures to you so that you might see for yourself.In addition to the ones I am sending there was also high hills that went right straight up from the road with sheep grazing all the way to the top.Occasionally we would see portions of castles that were still left intact and quaint houses tucked among the hills, many lochs, lush green hills, streams, plowed fields with rows running up the hills as opposed to around as we do, which indicated their rains are soft gentle mists more than downpours like our.We ran into some thick fog for about 30 minutes and we were worried that if we could not get close to the castle, it would be obscurred by the fog and we wouldn't be able to get pictures for you and the other Drummond kin.Finally we arrived in Muthill, which is a quaint little town with winding streets, rock houses and walls, a few shops, a Drummond chemist (druggist to us), a Drummond Lane, etc.Finally we were within 2 miles of the Castle.Our driver took us directly to the front gate without so much as a bobble.The gate was Locked!!! We jumped out of the car and looked down the long lane leading to the Castle, but we could not see the castle because it was too far from the front gate.Across the road was a small rock house that I assumed must be the gate keeper - he was not but he found out we were Drummond decendants and how far we had come.he gave us directions and we followed them - going back the way we had come for one mile turning right and going one mile then right again. Our driver had never done this so she was not entirely sure where the back entrance was.We met a fellow on a tractor and asked him if we were on the right road to the back gate of the castle, he said yes and the gate was always open and to go right in.We found the back gate and did just that.We were somewhat apprehensive but determined. We drove up the road to the castle which was about 1/4 mile from the gate but was in a grove of thick trees and we could not see it until we were right there when we made a bend in the road.And my what a magnificent sight.I was really awe struck to finally be there and find out that it was not only "not in ruins" but was indeed beautiful and the gardens were lovely.The gate to the compound was open so we walked right in. We assumed we would be asked to leave if anyone saw us, so we took pictures of everything in a matter of minutes.Gayle and I ran around the tower and took pictures of the passage way around the other buildings,then we came back and took pictures of the gardens and others as you can see and no one came out.We looked around and walked back outside the compound and I realized I had taken all my film, that it was getting late and we must leave if we were to make our flight.I really wanted to take more pictures so we decided to stop in Muthill and buy film and see if we could also buy post cards of the castle.we went into a little tobacco, bookshop, card shop combinationand asked the man behind the counter if he had any pictures of Drummond Castle. He replied that he did not.We asked him where we might get some and he said "ask the man standing behind you - he works at Drummond Castle."We turned around and met the nicest young man.We told him who we were and why we were there.He said he was the Estate Officer, that his office was only 5 minutes away, and if we would follow him he would not only give us pictures, but he would get our address and mail us some additional literature( which he did - Gayle got it yesterday - and I will photocopy it for you).He was so very nice and when I told him about you and my uncle and four aunts who were Drummond descent he gave me cards for them too.I'm enclosing all four cards for you, but I did not get enough of all of them for everyone so please do share the viewing of them with everyone interested.I took pictures of the Estate Office which I am also sending you.
By then it was getting quite late so we left the Estate Office and began our trip back to the airport.Our driver was so cooperative.She surely did not have to go to all the trouble of finding the back gate and taking us to the estate office and down into the town of Muthill, but anything we suggested she was more than willing to do.She was not economical, but I sincerely think it was the best money we spent on the entire trip, as far as I was concerned at least.Without Gayle's tenacity we would have come home empty handed I'm afraid.So I am doubly glad that she did not give up. I know you will be too.Jeanette, he also gave me a copy of the line of descension which I am sending to you.We found out from him that all the Drummond men left Scotland for England and America and did not return to inherit the castle so it went to the female side of the family.Her name is Lady Jane Willoughby and she lives in England and seldom comes to the Castle.It is very well kept up and so are the gardens and the gardens are open all week in the summer and only two daysin the off season (which is now). Sunday and Wednesdays are the days the gardens are open now and we were not there either of those days or we could have entered by the front gate. (I'm sending you a picture of the front gates.) However, we consider the fact that we got to go in the back gate and actually into the compound and around the tower, nuch better.We told the Estate Manager what we had done and that we were glad no one had shot us.He said " Oh we would not have done that even had we been there."He had come into town for tobacco - how lucky for us!! First time I have ever been glad that someone smoked.Jeanette, the only thing that would have made the trip better is your presence.We wished for you!after all you are the one that discovered "our castle". Gayle is threatening to go back and declare herself "Chieftan of the Clan" as there is not one and the clan has virtually died out.I did find our Tartan though in one of the stores and we purchased some for a table cloth. Also, I purchased our Crest - when I come I will bring it and show it to everyone. By the way, according to the literature he sent we are entitled to all three tartans - Drummond, Drummond of Perth, and Drummond of Strathearn.I bought the Drummond tartan, but they are all pretty and the other two are easier to find. I bought a tie for uncle bud and will send it to him and note pads with the Drummond plaid for all the aunts.Need I say again what a delightful trip we had!
Fondly,
Tena
if anyone out there recognizes this please contact me and thanks in advance for any help given.
Katherine
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Re: drummond letter
Reva Golden 9/10/02