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Fatlips Castle was built in the 16th
century and occupies a prominent position 730 feet high on Minto
Crags.
It is a well known local landmark and the
site commands a wide view of the surrounding country.
In my younger
years I recall visiting Fatlips on several occasions. This
usually consisted of cycle run over the Dunion hill from Jedburgh
then through Denholm towards Minto turning right for Ancrum. Feeling
less energetic, the 'bottom road' could be selected heading north
from Jedburgh for Ancrum and peddling the 'back road' to Denholm.
I visited Fatlips at the end of
December 2003 and that's when I took the series of
photographs you can view in the gallery. I was saddened to see
the state of decay and realised how quickly old buildings can fall
to rack and ruin without care and attention. Thirty odd years ago,
Fatlips was a fascinating place to visit and was in much better
shape than it is now.
I recall doors and windows
in place, most of the floors 'safe' to tiptoe over, and the roof
virtually intact. The walls were covered with trophies, animal
skins, crests and shields high up beyond easy reach. For a young lad
it was a scary place too. In my younger years, Fatlips triggered
thoughts of Dracula. To see Fatlips draped against a dark stormy sky
or to push open a creaking wooden door and climb the dark spiral
staircase . . . Little wonder we always visited as a group.
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Fatlips Castle is but a shell now
with few roof tiles remaining and both wooden floors collapsed with
the concrete (first) floor being the only one intact. The access
point at ground level had been bricked up but the top layers
of bricks had been removed and I was able to gain access to all levels.
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Fatlips
may be no more than a shell but the views from the top are
outstanding and I count myself lucky to have captured them before a
more permanent solution is installed to keep the public from
entering this majestic tower. If you have a fear of heights, I advise you
not to climb the staircase and I wouldn't risk going outside to the
parapet walk. On a very windy day, I would stay well clear of the
building altogether and I certainly wouldn't risk going inside where
you are liable to get felled by falling timber, masonry or slates.
Should you view the photographs,
click the thumbnails for a larger image then you can select the icon
beneath each photograph to reveal more information about that
particular shot.
Below, you can read an extract
from another
website
where the writer scanned the local newspaper, the well known Borders
paper - “The Southern Reporter”. This article is full of interesting
information and my understanding is that it was published in 2001.
EXTRACT
Behind proud Fatlips Castle’s walls lies a
scene of neglect and decay, and the
architectural watchdogs are worried.
By Mark Entwistle
Fatlips Castle dominates the skyline from its vantage point on Minto
Crags, near Denholm, and its battered walls are again the focus of
attention from those worried for its future. For years there have
been calls for the crumbling property on the Minto estates to be
restored to its former glory. Now comes news from David Black,
chairman of the Borders branch of the Architectural Heritage Society
of Scotland, that the organization is concerned about the state of
the buildings, and he has even had informal discussions with the
National Trust about the issue.
“The tower is deteriorating
and there is a lot of public concern about that.” Mr. Black told the
“Southern”. “Fatlips is one of the most important buildings in the
Borders and it is clearly under threat. It can’t be allowed to
crumble away – it is of great landscape value. Our stand is that we
want to encourage a positive use for it, and feel an effort must be
made to ensure the building is saved and used.”
When contacted by the “Southern” for an update on the situation with
Fatlips Castle, the Earl of Minto, whose family trust oversees the
property, explained he was unable to comment fully because such
matters were now the responsibility of his son, Lord Melgund, who
was currently abroad. However, Lord Minto did claim his son had
taken measures in the recent past to help safeguard the imposing
building.
“I know for a fact he has taken some measures to help preserve it
for the future, and this was all carried out in accordance with
Historic Scotland.” Said Lord Minto.
Representatives of Scottish Borders Council planning and development
department last had discussions with Lord Melgund about 18 months
ago.
“Our main contact with the estate has really been with the view of
ensuring access to the towers by members of the public is denied on
safety grounds,” explained SBC conservation officer, Mark Douglas.
“Currently, I am not aware of any active proposals for the
restoration of the tower.”
The 16th century structure was first restored in 1857 and then
renovated in 1897 – 98 by Sir Robert Lorimer, as a shooting box and
private museum. Three stories high, it has a vaulted basement and a
parapet walk, and its curious name is said to stem from the noted
Borders freebooter, Turnbull of Barnhill.
In olden days the lands of Minto were owned by the infamous reiving
family, the Turnbulls, who also built the 16th century core of the
now demolished Minto House, the center of an architectural furore
some years ago.
In days gone by it was also written that one of the pleasures of a
visit to Fatlips used to be that “every gentleman, by indefeasible
privilege, kisses one of the ladies on entering the ruin”
(Chambers).
Sadly, in recent years it
has seen rather less romantic attention, proving an attraction for
vandals. Previously, it seems that interest from potential restorers
has not found much favour with the owners. Fatlips passed into the
ownership of the Elliott family – and subsequently the Earls of
Minto – when it was obtained by Sir Gilbert Elliott in 1705.
Mr. Black says he can remember visiting the tower as a child, when
it was used as a museum, and thinks it was used up until the early
1960s. “An ideal use would be for an organization like the Landmark
Trust to take it over. The Landmark Trust acquires buildings of
historic and architectural significance. It has taken over some
weird and wonderful buildings, restored and repaired them, and has
then been terrifically successful in renting them out. Something
like that would be an ideal way of preserving it. The Borders badly
needs a symbol to regenerate hope – something representing the
spirit of the Borders for the millennium – and what could be better
than a Borders tower”
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