Midhope Castle

An abandoned but intact tower house on land which now forms part of the Hopetoun Estate in West Lothian, Midhope Castle lies a half-mile (0.8 km) west southwest of Abercorn. The present structure dates from 1587, built on the site of an earlier castle, which is first mentioned in 1458. The initials of Alexander Drummond and his wife Marjorie Bruce are recorded above the entrance.

The original tower house is much-altered, comprising four storeys and a garret, constructed in rubble with fine corner turrets in ashlar, crowstepped gables, and an awkward three-storey extension to the east. John Martyne was described as 'Laird of Medhope' in 1458, the property then passed to a Henry Levingstone in 1478 and Alexander Drummond in 1582. In 1664, Midhope was modified by George Livingston, 3rd Earl of Linlithgow (1616-90), who added the eastern extension. It was acquired by Hopes of Hopetoun in 1678 and modified once again, heightening the eastern extension and adding the little courtyard. Sir Robert Sibbald (1641 - 1722) described Midhope as a 'fine tower house with excellent gardens' in 1710. However, by the beginning of the 20th C. it was in poor condition, although was A-listed in 1971 and some limited restoration was undertaken in 1988. Inside, although much decayed, several rooms retain portions of panelling and plaster cornices, while a painted ceiling was removed into the care of Historic Environment Scotland. In 2013, the castle featured as a location in the hugely-successful American fantasy television series Outlander, starring Sam Heughan (b.1980), where is was known as Lallybroch.

An oblong dovecot, dating from the late 17th C. lies to the southeast.


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