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Ayton Castle
Country House (19th Century), Tower House (Medieval)
Site Name Ayton Castle
Classification Country House (19th Century), Tower House (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Ayton Castle Policies; Huildie's Tower; Wall Tower; Eye Water
Canmore ID 60254
Site Number NT96SW 62
NGR NT 92895 61379
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/60254
First 100 images shown. See the Collections panel (below) for a link to all digital images.
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Ayton
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Berwickshire
- Former County Berwickshire
NT96SW 62.00 92895 61379
(NT 9288 6137) Ayton Castle (NAT)
OS 6" map, (1970).
NT96SW 62.01 NT 92930 61625 North Lodge
NT96SW 62.02 NT 92954 61558 Farmsteading (Stable Courtyard)
NT96SW 62.03 NT 92687 61152 Walled Garden
NT96SW 62.04 NT 93023 61455 Dovecot
NT96SW 62.05 NT 92590 60910 South Lodge (Also known as West Lodge)
NT96SW 62.06 NT 92679 61202 Summer House
NT96SW 62.07 NT 93098 61786 Ayton Kennels
NT96SW 62.08 NT 92774 61811 Huldies Cottage
See also:
NT96SW 54 NT 93234 61376 St Abb's Well
NT96SW 67 NT c. 928 613 Huildie's [Huldie's] Tower [Old Ayton Castle]
NT96SW 112.00 NT 93463 62106 Ayton Mains (Farmhouse and steading)
NT96SW 112.01 NT 93391 62174 Ayton Mains, 1 Farm Cottages
NT96SW 112.04 NT 93402 62171 Ayton Mains, 2 Farm Cottages
NT96SW 112.05 NT 93412 62167 Ayton Mains, 3 Farm Cottages
NT96SW 112.06 NT 93419 62166 Ayton Mains, 4 Farm Cottages
NT96SW 365 NT 93829 61656 Hillburn, Milestone
The original Ayton Castle appears to have been erected by a Norman called De Vescie (New Statistical Account, [NSA, G Tough] 1845). Having been destroyed by the English in 1448, it was considered to be one of the best fortalices between Berwick and Edinburgh when it was again taken by the English under the Earl of Surrey in 1498, after a siege.
A Thomson 1908.
The present Ayton Castle is a good example of a Scottish Baronial mansion by James Gillespie Graham, built in 1851.
Its predecessor, a classical mansion, was destroyed by fire in 1834.
SDD undated.
Photographed by the RCAHMS in 1980.
RCAHMS AP catalogue 1980.
Visible on vertical air phtographs (OS 65/100/119, 75/029/014-15)
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), March 1990.
NMRS REFERENCE:
Architects: James Gillespie Graham. Contract signed for building of new house 1845.
A model of this house is at Ayton Castle.
David Bryce - additions and alterations 1860-61
James Maitland Wardrop - additions and alterations 1864/67
Robert Adam 1791 - Design for lodge and gates.
N.M.R.S. Photocopy of photographs & notes on redecoration of the dining room
in December 1982.
Photographic Survey (1956)
Photographic survey of Ayton Castle, Berwickshire, by the Scottish National Buildings in 1956.
Photographic Survey (June 1961)
Photographic survey of Ayton Castle and dovecot, Berwickshire, by the Scottish National Buildings in June 1961.
Watching Brief (September 2021)
NT 92669 61427 A watching brief was conducted, in September 2021, during ground works for the demolition of a section of estate boundary wall and new bellmouth for a stretch of new access road at Ayton Castle. It was agreed in consultation with Scottish Borders Council that the groundworks required for the other elements of the development would not have the potential to impact on any buried archaeological remains, so they were not monitored. The section of existing estate boundary wall to be removed was watched during its deconstruction and no reused worked or moulded stonework was observed. A section of a small, flat-bottomed ditch was recorded during the watching brief at the new bellmouth entrance. It was most probably a relict field boundary ditch, or other estate boundary.
Archive: NRHE (intended) and report lodged with local HER
Funder: Ayton Castle
Graeme Carruthers – CFA Archaeology Ltd
(Source: DES Volume 23)
Sbc Note
Visibility: This is an upstanding building.
Information from Scottish Borders Council.
