Midhope Castle

Midhope Castle is a 15th-century tower house in Scotland. It is situated in the hamlet of Abercorn on the Hopetoun estate, About 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the west of South Queensferry, on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It is a Category A listed building.[1]

Midhope Castle
Abercorn, West Lothian, Scotland
UK grid reference NT072786
Close View
Front of Midhope Castle
Midhope Castle is located in Scotland
Midhope Castle
Midhope Castle
Coordinates55°59′31″N 3°29′15″W
TypeTower house
Site information
OwnerHopetoun Estate
Controlled byHopetoun Estate
Open to
the public		With permission. Exterior only
ConditionRuined
Site history
Built16th century
MaterialsStone

History

The derelict chateau that can be seen today represents the much-altered 5-storey, oblong tower house.

In the 15th-century Midhope belonged to the Martin family.[2] During the latter 16th century, the castle belonged to Alexander Drummond of Midhope, brother to Robert Drummond of Carnock, Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland. A stone inscribed "AD 1582 MB" commemorates Alexander and his wife Marjory Bruce, daughter of Robert Bruce of Airth.[3]

Alexander Drummond was a servant of the Earl of Huntly. On 7 August 1573, on behalf of the Earl of Huntly, Drummond returned jewels belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots to Regent Morton at Holyrood Palace. Drummond was buried at Airth Old Kirk.[4]

A painted ceiling from the tower survives in the care of Historic Scotland at Edinburgh; it is planned to be put on public display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.[5] It includes cinquefoil motifs and probably commemorates the marriage of Sir Robert Drummond, who became laird in 1619, to a Hamilton heiress.[6] The family motto was "ad astra per ardua"[7] and fragments from another painted ceiling had gold stars on a blue blackgound, represented in the crest of the coat of arms.

In 1678, Midhope was given a facelift when an entrance tower was removed and the extension to the east was heightened and extended. A new doorway was added along with a small courtyard, measuring 114 by 61 feet (35 by 19 m), to the south.

A large, two-chambered, oblong, late 17th century dovecot sits about 140 metres (150 yd) to the southeast.

Midhope Castle is featured as a location in the Outlander TV series on Starz as the main character's, Jamie Fraser, family home called Lallybroch but also known as Broch Tuarach.

Photographs
  • The castle from the east.
    The castle from the east.
  • Courtyard view of castle
    Courtyard view of castle
  • Approach to the Castle with Dovecot to the left.
    Approach to the Castle with Dovecot to the left.

See also

Notes
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "MIDHOPE CASTLE (Category A Listed Building) (LB630)". Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  2. Acts of the Lords Auditors of Causes and Complaints (Edinburgh, 1839), p. 178.
  3. MacGibbon & Ross, Castellated and Domestic Architecture, ii, (1887), 502-507
  4. HMC 9th Report: Lord Elphinstone (London, 1884), p. 192.
  5. "Home". royalcollection.org.uk.
  6. David Malcolm, House of Drummond (Edinburgh, 1808), p.33.
  7. The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Bernard Burke, Harrison & Sons, 1884, p. 301

References
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