Romantically
situated on a bend of the River Tweed, just one mile west of Peebles, Neidpath is a
well-known castle by sight. The Hays erected the tower around 1370. The family later
became Lords Hay of Yester and then Earls of Tweeddale. In 1686 the estate was sold to the
Douglas Dukes of Queensberry, one of whom allowed the castle to become neglected. In 1810
the castle passed to the Earl of Wemyss, whose heir is styled Lord Neidpath.
The second floor has two
bedrooms, one styled as Queen Mary’s Room, for Mary, Queen of Scots stayed in 1563,
but not in this room. James VI stayed in 1587. A lintel in the south west turnpike has a
carved sword on it, indicating that it was once a medieval gravestone. Two wall walks
afford impressive views. The present roof dates from 1938. The courtyard has a modern
cottage and ruins of a bakehouse, plus an ornate gateway with the Hay crest on a keystone. |
