Fatlips Castle
| Fatlips Castle | |
|
Roxburghshire | |
|---|---|
 Fatlips Castle | |
| Type: | Pele tower |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NT582209 |
| Location: | 55°28’49"N, 2°39’46"W |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Restored |
| Owned by: | Lord Minto |
Fatlips Castle is a pele tower in Roxburghshire, standing at the top of Minto Crags, above the River Teviot. It was built in the 16th century by the Turnbulls of Barnhills, notorious Border reivers, and owners of nearby Barnhills Tower and farm. In 1545, during the War of the Rough Wooing, the Earl of Hertford burned "Mantoncrake", or Mynto Crag.[1]
The castle is said to have obtained its unusual name from the habit of the members of the house to greet guests with less discretion than was considered decent at the time. One of the pleasures of a visit to Fatlips used to be that "every gentleman, by indefeasible privilege, kisses one of the ladies on entering the ruin."[2]
The tower is rectangular, 26 feet 9 inches from north to south, and 32 feet 3 inches from east to west. It comprises four storeys plus an attic, which is surrounded by a 19th-century parapet walk.
Modernity and restoration
The castle was acquired by Sir Gilbert Elliot in 1705, whose family eventually became the Earls of Minto. It was extensively restored in 1857, while the interior was renovated by Sir Robert Lorimer in 1897–8 as a shooting lodge and private museum.[1]
The building was in use until the 1960s, and thereafter fell into ruin. Proposals for the future were made, notably through the Landmark Trust. Eventually, on 18 November 2011, it was announced that a major restoration of the building would take place.[3] In mid-2013, the caphouse, parapet and roof were successfully renovated.[4] The castle was restored to its former glory in 2013.
Outside links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 CANMORE (RCAHMS) record of Fatlips Castle
- ↑ Chambers, Robert (1828). The Picture of Scotland. I. William Tait. p. 328n. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hXgLAAAAYAAJ.
- ↑ "Fatlips Castle set for major restoration". BBC News. 2011-11-18. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-15777199.
- ↑ http://www.turnbullclan.com/tca/index.php/history/fatlips-castle/306-fatlips-restoration-completed.html