Nether Horsburgh Castle
| Nether Horsburgh Castle | |
|
Peeblesshire | |
|---|---|
 Nether Horsburgh Castle | |
| Type: | Tower house |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NT304396 |
| Location: | 55°38’42"N, 3°6’27"W |
| Village: | Nether Horsburgh |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Ruined |
Nether Horsburgh Castle is a ruined tower house near Cardrona, in Peeblesshire. Its ruins stand at the back of a farmstead three and a half miles south-west of the county town, Peebles, off the A72 road. Access may be gained by permission from the adjoining farm, Nether Horsburgh Farm.
Description
The remains of Nether Horsburgh Castle consist of a ruined, 16th-century rectangular tower-house, at the foot of a rolling valley overlooking the River Tweed, with the Hope Burn flowing just a few yards to the east. Originally, the tower had an adjoining courtyard and ranges of buildings, traces of which can still be seen to the north of the tower.
Only three walls still survive, reaching a height of about 39 feet, with the east wall being completely ruined to ground level. The existing structure appears to have measured about 33 feet by 26 feet, with walls of about four feet thick. It is thought that the tower rose to a height of four storeys, with an entrance situated at ground level on the northeast side of the building. This led into a vaulted cellar, studded with slit window apertures. Evidence suggests that access to the upper floors was gained by a staircase situated in the east wall.
A small courtyard was formed by a range of buildings continuing to the east for about 46 feet, then north for about 72 feet. All that remains of this is a small fragment of the northern segment, which now forms a part of the field boundary in which the castle stands.
History
The castle was built and occupied by the Borders family of Horsburgh, and was later sold to Sir Robert Stewart of Shillingshaws, due to diminished family fortunes.
Other castles owned by the Horsburgh family are to be found in the same part of Peebleshire. Less than a mile to the west, on a grassy knoll, stands the remains of a small tower and wing. This is Horsburgh Castle, also of the 16th century, and just north of Peebles, high on the side of Mailingsland Hill, stands the remains of Hutchinfield Tower. A very dilapidated oblong block, again this is of the 16th century.
Photographs of the ruins
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References
- Nether Horsburgh Castle - CANMORE (RCAHMS)
- Salter, Mike (1985). Discovering Scottish Castles. Shire Publications Ltd. ISBN 0-85263-749-7