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Peebles, Edinburgh Road, Venlaw Castle Hotel
Hospital (First World War), Hotel (Period Unassigned), Tower House (Medieval)
Site Name Peebles, Edinburgh Road, Venlaw Castle Hotel
Classification Hospital (First World War), Hotel (Period Unassigned), Tower House (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Smithfield Castle; Venlaw House; Castle Venlaw; Venlaw Auxiliary Hospital
Canmore ID 51454
Site Number NT24SE 19
NGR NT 25287 41236
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/51454
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Peebles
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Tweeddale
- Former County Peebles-shire
NT24SE 19.00 25287 41236
NT24SE 19.01 25251 40945 South Lodge
NT24SE 19.02 25066 41637 North Lodge
(NT 2528 4123) Venlaw Castle Hotel (NAT) on site of (NAT) Smithfield Castle (NR)
OS 6" map (1964)
There are now no remains of Smithfield Castle, the tower which was the residence of the Hays of Smithfield in the 16th and 17th centuries. About 1782, a mansion was erected on the site of the old tower, the property then being re-named Venlaw.
RCAHMS 1967, visited 1959
On the E front of Venlaw Castle Hotel is an inscription: "This portion of the house was built on the site of Smethfield (sic) Castle AD 1782". No trace of the Castle exists.
Visited by OS (EGC) 8 March 1962
EXTERNAL RECORD:
SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE
Mr Stevenson has lately built a house very high upon the bank overlooking the town of Peebles."
Sir John Clerk's description of a journey to Peebles.
1780 GD 18/2119
Photographic Survey (3 May 2007)
Photographed by the Threatened Buildings Survey prior to demolition of service wing and alterations and extensions to the hotel.
RCAHMS (CAJS) 2012
Project (March 2013 - September 2013)
A project to characterise the quantity and quality of the Scottish resource of known surviving remains of the First World War. Carried out in partnership between Historic Scotland and RCAHMS.
Sbc Note (21 March 2016)
Visibility: This was the site of an archaeological monument, which may no longer be visible.
Information from Scottish Borders Council
Previously also listed under duplicate site NT96SW 510 -CANCELLED. HES (LCK) 11.6.2024
Watching Brief (30 October 2019 - 22 October 2020)
NT 25284 41230 A programme of archaeological works comprising an Archaeological Watching Brief was required by Stanley Brash Construction as part of the planning condition on the proposed extension and development of Castle Venlaw Hotel, Edinburgh Road, Peebles, Scottish Borders.
The first phase of these works consisted the excavation of foundation trenches north of Venlaw Castle. These excavations revealed that the soil in this area consisted of a deep deposit of made ground which was probably used to level a natural slope prior to the construction of the present Venlaw Castle, towards the end of the 18th century. The depth of this deposit was such that the natural was not observed.
The second phase consisted of drainage and associated levelling works undertaken to the immediate south and west of the Castle. Again, a mixed deposit of made ground was observed overlying a disturbed natural of orange sandy clay.
No archaeologically significant features or material were recorded during the works.
Information from Sam Kinirons AOC Archaeology Group.
