Horsburgh Castle
| Horsburgh Castle | |
|
Peeblesshire | |
|---|---|
 Horsburgh Castle | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | 2851&y=6 3916&z=120 NT 2851 3916 |
| Location: | 55°38’27"N, 3°8’14"W |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Ruined |
Horsburgh Castle, also known as Horsbrugh Castle or Horsbrugh Tower, is a ruined tower house castle in Peeblesshire, standing on the north side of the River Tweed, close by the road from Peebles to Galashiels, now the A72, near Glentress.
The Horsburghs of that Ilk held the estate here at least from 1479, and it was they who built Horsburgh Castle in the 16th century. The family owned it until the beginning of the 20th century.
The villages of Over Horsbrugh, Nether Horsburgh, Kailzie, and Kailzie Gardens are close by, as is the ruined Nether Horsburgh Castle.
Name
The Ordnance Survey retain the old spelling "Horsbrugh Castle" and likewise nearby "Horsbrugh Ford", while the nearby hamlet is "Nether Horsburgh".
Research by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland shows that 'Horsbrugh' is an attested spelling of the name, stating that: "The name is undoubtedly Horsbrugh Castle confirmed by spelling of local farm name etc., also plaque on wall of ruins of castle stating: A memorial to RT Hon Baroness Horsbrugh of Horsbrugh 1889-1969."[1]
Construction
The remains of the castle are the shell of a small L-shaped tower built in the 16th century, standing on a prominent mound. The main block of the castle is almost square, 31 feet by 33 feet, with a north wing attached, 14 feet wide.
The whole of the E side of the building has disappeared, together with the E end of the S wall. The surviving walls, still c.22' high, are of whinstone rubble and were once harled. They have been partially rebuilt for preservation within the past century or so, and now show few features of interest. An original slit-window remains in the lower part of the W wall.
Outside links
References
- Horsburgh/Horsbrugh Castle on Scotlandsplaces