Fatlips Castle

A former stronghold of the Turnbulls, Fatlips Castle stands on Minto Crags near the River Teviot in the Roxburgh district of the Scottish Borders, between Hawick and Jedburgh. This rectangular tower-house dates from the 16th century, or possibly earlier. The name derives from the tradition that the Turnbulls had very full lips. King James IV reigned in this unruly family in 1510, hanging several.

Fatlips passed to the Stewarts and was bought in 1705 by Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto (1651 - 1718). The property was restored in 1857 and it was renovated in 1897-8 by Robert Lorimer (1864 - 1929) as a shooting box and private museum for the Earls of Minto. The castle is today B-listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. While still roofed, its condition is perlious and the castle faces dereliction.


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