Drummond, the son of a small farmer, was born and educated in the parish of Madderty, Perthshire, and in early life worked as a carpenter.
During the same year he met Robert Nicoll, the poet, then apprenticed to Mrs. Robertson, a grocer, on the opposite side of the street.
He decided, however, to turn farmer, and completing the building as a hotel, he made over his bookselling business to his cousin John, and took the holding of Balmblair, in the parish of Redgorton, Perthshire, from Lord Mansfield.
Another work, The Life of Robert Nicoll, poet, with some hitherto uncollected Pieces, Paisley (printed) and London, 1884, was edited by his son, James Drummond.
In 1850 he published a pamphlet entitled The Tenants and Landlords versus the Free Traders, by Powdavie, supporting the agricultural interest.