Illieston Castle


(Illieston House)

A restored laird's house on the left bank of the River Almond in West Lothian, Illieston Castle (occasionally Illieston House) is located 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Broxburn and a similar distance east of Pumpherston. Dating from the 16th C., it comprises three storeys and an attic within the roof above, with a square stair tower to the rear which rises one floor beyond to a turret room. A kitchen wing to the east and walls to the north and west complete a courtyard, which is entered through a classical gateway. The property features crowstepped gables, a pepperpot turret and grey slated roofs

King James II (1420-60) and King James IV (1473 - 1513) are said to have had a hunting lodge here but the lands were given to the Hamilton family c.1455. The property passed to the Ellises (hence the name Illieston) who significantly altered the original tower house in the 1660s. Ownership returned to the Hamiltons, but passed to the Earls of Hopetoun in 1765. Having fallen into disrepair it was restored c.1856 by architect William Burn (1789 - 1870), which undoubtedly explains the Baronial flourishes. Subsequently passing through several hands, the property was modernised 2010-18 and remains a family home.


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