Neidpath Castle
The site has been occupied by a fortress since the 12th cent. Neidpath is a rubble built L-plan tower house dating mostly to the 14th century. It is unusual in that both sides of L-plan tower are parallelograms rather than rectangles. Also the castle's corners are rounded and not square. The castle has four storeys but mezzanine floors give the tower many chambers and passages at different levels. The lower floor served as a pit prison.
A number of stones in the tower bear the marks of the masons who worked them. More changes in the 16 th-17 th cent are indicated by the keystone showing the crest of the Hays, Earls of Tweeddale, - a goat’s head upon a coronet.
Home to the Fraser’s at an early date, the last of this line was Sir Simon Fraser, famed for defeating the English three times in one day at Rosslyn Moor in 1302. He was later captured by them and put to death. It is thought there was a tower here at that time. His daughter and heiress married Gilbert de Haya of Yester and it remained a Hay possession until the end of the 17th century.
A terraced garden was recorded here in the16 th cent but went out of use by late 18 th cent. Only traces now remain.
Mary Stuart and James VI visited Neidpath, reflecting importance of Hay family. Wall hangings depict tragic life of Mary Stuart.
It was garrisoned against Cromwell in 1650 and held out longer than any other stronghold south of the River Forth. A large section of the south wall and part of the upper levels were badly damaged during the siege, the damage is still visible today. The 5th Earl rebuilt the main block soon after, partially roofing the parapet to form galleries with square turrets and adding a garret storey, the original roof was flat. He also planted an avenue of yew trees on the approach to the castle.
Nearby is Neidpath railway viaduct, which once carried trains from Carlisle to Edinburgh. It is built on a bend with each arch twisted. It is possible to walk along parts of the railway bed.