Archaeology Notes

Event ID 711184

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/711184

NT07NE 5.00 07283 78685

NT07NE 5.01 07160 78668 Farm

NT07NE 5.02 07396 78597 Gateway

NT07NE 5.03 07281 78618 Open-ended vault

NT07NE 5.04 07276 78642 Formal Garden

NT07NE 14.00 07359 78611 Dovecot

(NT 0729 7868) Midhope (NR)

OS 6" map (1967)

Midhope Castle, a late 16th century tower, is 5 storeys and an attic high, with later extensions a storey lower. It forms the N side of a courtyard, measuring 114' x 61' which is entered from the E through an ashlared 17th century gateway. The two extensions, added to the E side of the original keep, date from the 17th century. In 1926, the castle was occupied, sub-divided into dwellings for estate workers. However,

in 1962, it is described as derelict and fast decaying.

RCAHMS 1929, visited 1926; N Tranter 1962

An outstanding building as described. Although not a total ruin it is not being cared for.

Visited by OS (JLD) 19 January n1953 and (JP) 27 March 1974

During consolidation of the castle remains and clearance of decayed wood, a series of wall paintings became visible. One was on the second floor of the central room. It occupied the N half of the E wall face. It was a trompe l'oeil of a room with black and white checkered floor tiles, blue walls and arches. The top part was eroded and indistinct. The other was over the fireplace of the E wall in the tower-house, on the first floor. This was of two red hunting dogs leaping over the fireplace.

Both the Hopetoun Estate and the RCAHMS were informed. No action was taken and these paintings have been lost.

In the ground south of the castle, an extensive well laid cobbled surface was located.

Sponsor: Hopetoun Estate

J K Reid 1989; G Egan 1990