Midhope Castle
Encyclopedia
Midhope Castle is a 16th 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 located at .
The derelict chateau that can be seen today represents the much-altered 5 storey, oblong tower house. 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, to the south. During the latter sixteenth 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. A painted ceiling
from the tower survives in the care of Historic Scotland at Edinburgh. It includes cinquefoil motifs and probably commemorates the marriage of Sir Robert Drummond, who became laird in 1619, to a Hamilton heiress. The family motto was 'ad astra per ardua' and fragments from another painted ceiling had gold stars from the family crest.
A large, two-chambered, oblong, late 17th century dovecot
sits about 140 metres (153.1 yd) to the southeast.
Tower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is situated in the hamlet of Abercorn
Abercorn
Abercorn is a village and parish in West Lothian, Scotland. Close to the south coast of the Firth of Forth, the village is around west of South Queensferry.-History:...
on the Hopetoun
Hopetoun House
Hopetoun House is the traditional residence of the Earl of Hopetoun . It was built 1699-1701, designed by William Bruce. It was then hugely extended from 1721 by William Adam until his death in 1748 being one of his most notable projects. The interior was completed by his sons John Adam and Robert...
estate, About 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the west of South Queensferry
South Queensferry
South Queensferry , also called Queensferry, is a former Royal Burgh in West Lothian now part of the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located some ten miles to the north west of the city centre, on the shore of the Firth of Forth between the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge, approximately 8...
, on the outskirts of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. It is located at .
The derelict chateau that can be seen today represents the much-altered 5 storey, oblong tower house. 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, to the south. During the latter sixteenth century the castle belonged to Alexander Drummond of Midhope, brother to Robert Drummond of Carnock
Robert Drummond of Carnock
Sir Robert Drummond of Carnock was Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland from 1579 to 1583. This was the responsibility for building and repair of palaces and castles. His appointment was made to be "as Sir James Hamilton of Finnart had it."...
, Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland
Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland
The Master of Works to the Crown of Scotland was responsible for the construction, repair and maintenance of royal palaces, castles and other crown property in Scotland. The main buildings were; Holyroodhouse; Edinburgh Castle; Stirling Castle; Linlithgow Palace; and Falkland Palace. The position...
. A stone inscribed 'AD 1582 MB' commemorates Alexander and his wife Marjory Bruce. A painted ceiling
Scottish Renaissance painted ceilings
A number of Scottish houses and castles built between 1540 and 1640 have painted ceilings. This is a distinctive national style, though there is common ground with similar work elsewhere, especially in France, Spain and Scandinavia. Most surviving examples are painted simply on the boards and...
from the tower survives in the care of Historic Scotland at Edinburgh. It includes cinquefoil motifs and probably commemorates the marriage of Sir Robert Drummond, who became laird in 1619, to a Hamilton heiress. The family motto was 'ad astra per ardua' and fragments from another painted ceiling had gold stars from the family crest.
A large, two-chambered, oblong, late 17th century dovecot
Dovecot
Dovecot may refer to:* Dovecot, Merseyside, an area of the City of Liverpool* Dovecot , an IMAP and POP software package-See also:* Dovecote, a building for pigeons or doves* Dovecote...
sits about 140 metres (153.1 yd) to the southeast.