Neidpath Castle

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This article is about Neidpath Castle. For Canadian ghost town, see Neidpath, Saskatchewan.

Neidpath Castle

Neidpath Castle is a L-plan rubble built tower, overlooking the river Tweed about 1 mile (2 km) west of Peebles in the Borders of Scotland. The castle is open to the public.

1 History
2 Description
3 Grounds
4 Traditions
5 The Castle today-- FILMING LOCATIONS
6 References
7 See also

[edit] History

The castle was probably built by Sir Simon Fraser of Oliver Castle (East Lothian) between 1263 and 1266 while he held the office of High Sheriff of Tweeddale. The castle was acquired by the Hays of Yester who rebuilt the structure c. 1370. It was held by them until when it was bought by William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry from the first John Hay 2nd Earl of Tweeddale (later first Marquess of the same). It was visited by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1563, and by her son James VI in 1587. The castle was attacked by Oliver Cromwell, and required the longest assault on any stronghold south of the river Forth to force it to surrender. By then cannon fire had damaged it severely. Major changes to the castle came about during the restoration by the Marquis of Tweeddale. He was a great agriculturalist who planted a fine avenue of yews, of which one side remains. On the death of the fourth Duke of Queensberry the castle was inherited by the Earl of Wemyss and March (although the dukedom went to the Scotts of Buccleuch) Neidpath still belongs to the Wemyss family; the second son of the family takes his courtesy title from it. William Wordsworth and Sir Walter Scott both visited the castle in 1803.

The castle is still owned privately by the Earl of Wemyss and March.

At some point in the late 18th century the castle was rented as a residence by Adam Ferguson.

[edit] Description

Neidpath Castle is a high L-Shaped tower, one leg of the L being very short. It has rounded corners. The battlements are roofed and the sentry walk is a balustraded balcony. Two of the few windows still have their iron bar protection. Two of the roms are vaulted, the basement and the hall, which is divided by a wooden floor into two stories.

For the modern tourist the castle is best approached on foot via the western exit of Haylodge Park (named after a substantial house of the Hay family which no longer exists), and follow the river path along the Tweed. This path offers spectacular views of the castle. There is also a small carpark for the less adventurous.

The castle features a pit dungeon, a parapet walk, and some small exhibitions of artifacts found in the locale.

[edit] Grounds

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There are remains of a partly-walled garden. The archway is decorated with both the goatshead emblem of the Hays and the strawberries of the Frasers.

[edit] Traditions

The castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of Jean Douglas, referred to by Sir Walter Scott as “ the Maid of Neidpath”, the youngest daughter of the Earl of March, William Douglas. Forbidden to marry – below her station - the son of the laird of Tushielaw she dwined, while her lover was sent away. When he returned she was so wasted that he did not recognise her; and this caused her to die of a broken heart. She is reputed to appear clad in a full-length brown dress with a large white collar.

[edit] The Castle today-- FILMING LOCATIONS

Used as a location for many films and television. including MERLIN: THE QUEST BEGINS starring Jason Connery and directed by SciFi veteran David Winning. The fantasy was filmed in September and October of 1997.