Ochiltree Castle And Boundary Wall
Lairds House (17th Century), Wall (17th Century)
Site Name Ochiltree Castle And Boundary Wall
Classification Lairds House (17th Century), Wall (17th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Ochiltree Place; Castlegate
Canmore ID 49298
Site Number NT07SW 1
NGR NT 03264 74760
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/49298
- Council West Lothian
- Parish Linlithgow
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District West Lothian
- Former County West Lothian
Ochiltree, from 16th century
Once-handsome, fourth rank Renaissance château, extended, truncated, its turrets spliced to the roof and shorn of its harl. As in Midhope, its ashlar turrets or gazebos should have been set off against harling. The proportion of its main chamber is 1:2 - a proportion of which Sir James Hamilton of Finnart was particularly fond (he had these lands 1526-40 following the forfeiture of Stirling of Keir). Two great chambers above each other, above a kitchen and cellar floor; and probably entered by the round staircase in the corner. The château was enhanced by an inner court, decorative dormer windows, a new internal stair and an outstanding (if heavy) ashlar porch, surmounted by two finialed pediments, monogrammed SAS and DGS for Sir Archibald Stirling of Keir and his wife Dame Grizel Stirling, probably 1610. Sensitive conservation work by Pollock Hammond Partnership.
Taken from "West Lothian: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Stuart Eydmann, Richard Jaques and Charles McKean, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk
NT07SW 1 03264 74760.
NT07SW 1.01 NT 03265 74760 Ochiltree Place (NAT) or Ochiltree Castle (NR)
OS 6" map (1970)
Ochiltree Castle or Place, now a farmhouse, is a very fine example of a late 16th century (SDD List 1964) early 17th century laird's house. It is of L-plan, standing three storeys and an attic high. A later 17th century addition has been erected against the N gable of the wing. The present entrance, in the W wall, not original, is probably a 17th century alteration. The original entrance was in the re-entrant angle. The 1st and 2nd floors have been much altered internally, and the slated roof formerly had pedimented dormers dated 1610.
RCAHMS 1929, visited 1924; D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887; N Tranter 1962
The castle, in good condition, is as described and planned.
Visited by OS (JLD) 30 December 1952 and (DWR) 19 March 1974
Watching Brief (1 February 2016 - 10 February 2016)
AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by Roseberry Estate Partnership to monitor ground breaking works at Ochiltree Place Farm, Linlithgow, West Lothian as part of planning consent for new farm sheds. The site is located beside Ochiltree Castle, where the location of an apparent chapel is unknown. The watching brief consisted of a large area strip and subsequent excavation of foundation pits. This revealed a heavy clay loam topsoil over natural boulder clay. No significant archaeological finds or features were uncovered.
Information from AOC Archaeology Group
