Wedderburn Castle

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Wedderburn Castle (front)

Wedderburn Castle Main Gate

Wedderburn Castle, near Duns, Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders, is the historic family seat of the Home of Wedderburn family, cadets of the Lords Home (today Earls of Home).

1 History
2 The Castle Today (Interior)
3 The Approach
4 The owners
5 External link

[edit] History

Wedderburn castle was designed and commenced 1771-5 by the famous architect brothers Robert Adam and James Adam, with the work superintendent being James Nisbet, for Patrick Home of Billie, who had already completed Paxton House (using James Adam and Nisbet, with Robert Adam doing the interiors c1773). Battlemented three-storey elevations in the typical Adam Castle style, the apparent symmetry conceals a rectangular courtyard, originally filled by the 17th century (or earlier) tower house, also known as Wedderburn castle, of which only a heraldic panel remains. It was demolished in the early 19th century leaving the courtyard, accessed through an archway at the back.

[edit] The Castle Today (Interior)

Entering the front of the castle through a large porch above which is the Home of Wedderburn coat of arms, there is a double staircase with an iron balastrade leading up to a balcony behind which is a long gallery connecting the drawing room and the dining room. Across the hall and above the front door is a long minstrel gallery again connecting the drawing room and the dining room. On the right of the staircase are the drawing room, and the morning room (previously the smoking room), and a broad corridor leads to the ballroom). There are several fine chimneypieces, the best being by Piranesi. To the left are the dining room, and a further staircase leading up to the bedrooms. The ground floor has a large kitchen and further bedrooms, originally for servants.

[edit] The Approach

The castle is approached by way of the north or Lion Gate of 1794 (see photograph) and the long drive (leading from the West gate) which pass the 18th century stables (a square court entered through a pedimented archway) and the staff cottages before continuing to the castle. The West Gate is another archway but defined by screen walls and gabled lodges.

[edit] The owners

This family were originally Home, then Foreman-Home, then Milne-Home, and finally Home-Robertson, having failed in the male line several times. It is now owned by David Home-Miller, son of the previous owner, Georgina Home-Robertson.