The Drum

Built 1726-34, for John Somerville (1698-1765), 13th Lord Somerville, it was designed by Scotland's pre-eminent architect of that era, William Adam. Situated just four miles from the city centre of Edinburgh, it's also known as Drum House and sharing a similar forecourt layout it has been named as one of the houses that inspired Blandfield in Essex County, Virginia. The estate was broken up in 1800 by the 15th Lord Somerville (who later regretted his decision) and after passing through several pairs of hands, the house and its extensive colliery was purchased in 1862 by John More Nisbett (1826-1904) and it remains the private home of the More Nisbett family today.