Scottish Ties

Neidpath Castle
Peebles, Scotland

taken 9/1/98
by Roger Peeples --

Note the Heather in the forgound

cick on photo
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About the Castle:
The arms of the families connected with Neidpath Castle were
* FRASER -c 1180 to 1312;
* HAY 1312 to 1694;
* DOUGLAS 1686 to 1810; and
* WEMYSS 1810 to present.

Castles like Neidpath were built by lords or barons as security during the lawless period following the independence from England in the 14th Century. The territory of Tweeddale or Peeblesshire extended for 10 or 20 miles around. In the early 14th Century the lords here were the family FRASERS. In 1312 the Lordship went to the HAY family and that was when the castle Neidpath was built.

The HAY family became "Lord Hay of Yester" in 1488 and "Earls of Tweeddale", in 1646. In 1650 the 2nd Earl was beseiged by the Cromwellian army.In 1686 Neidpath was sold to William Douglas the 1st Duke of Queensberry. The castle was in decay when the inheritance came to the Earl of Wemyss in 1810. His descendants still own the property.
Most everyone has seen this castle. That is if you have seen the Film "The Bruce". The movie was filmed in and around Neidpath in 1995-1996. Neidpath was also the setting for the Documentary film: Joan of Arc filmed in Jan 1996

Other Links to Neidpath Castle:

Try to put together the Neidpath Puzzle - Online
The Neidpath Name:
Castles of the Clan HAY.
Neidpath Castle - Peebles, Borders, Scotland - Great picture and drawing.
Castles of Scotland - Other Castles
Map Location of Neidpath Castle

More Photos of Neidpath taken by Roger Peeples Sept. 1998

Post Card of Neigpath - Peebles Post Marked from Peebles on 2 Jan 1917	Looking up from the lower path	Looking North from the Lower Path . The rocks in the forground is actually the missing part of the castle wall damaged in 1650 during the Civil War.
Looking South from the road at Neidpath Castle.	Taken from the West Wall Walk looking down on the Tweed River	Taken from the East Wall Walk looking at Peebles one mile East.