Field Visit
Date 23 November 1926
Event ID 1114445
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1114445
Redhall, Armorial Panel at, and Site of Castle.
Built into the back of the hexagonal dovecot standing 250 yards north-east of the mansion of Redhall is a fine 16th-century panel with Otterburn arms. The shield is charged with a chevron between 3 otters' heads couped and a crescent on the dexter chief. Below the chevron the field is represented as goutty. The supporters are two wyverns with knotted tails terminating in snake heads. The helm is wreathed, and crested an otter's head couped. On a label below is the motto DE VIRTVTE IN VIRTVTEM.
The panel was taken from the ruins of Redhall Castle (1), the site of which is about 100 yards north-west of the mansion. The site has been excavated, but the only masonry now visible is the footing of a small semicircular turret (2), 7 feet 1 inch in diameter, with a wall 2 feet4 inches thick.
HISTORICAL NOTE. Sir Adam Otterburn of Auldhame (East Lothian) and Redhall was King's Advocate 1524-38. On different occasions he was also Provost of Edinburgh, where his father had been a merchant burgess. Thomas Otterburn of ‘Reidhall’, in the county of Edinburgh, is on record in 1594 (2).
RCAHMS 1929, visited 23 November 1926.
(1) The Family of Inglis of Auchindinny and Redhall (privately printed), J.A. Inglis, pp.120-1; (2) Laing Charters, No. 1273.
