Editing Elcho Castle

{{Short description|Castle in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, UK}}
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{{Infobox historic site
| name                    = Elcho Castle
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| image                   = Elcho_castle.jpg
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| caption                 = The front of Elcho Castle
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| coordinates             = {{Coord|56.3746|N|3.3545|W|display=inline,title}}
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| built                   = Around 1560
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| designation1            = Scheduled Monument
| designation1_offname    = Elcho Castle
| designation1_type       = Secular: castle
| designation1_criteria   = 
| designation1_date       = 30 April 1920
| delisted1_date          = 
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| designation1_number     = {{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90140|short=yes}}
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| designation2            = Category A Listed Building
| designation2_offname    = Elcho Castle, Doo'cot
| designation2_type       = 
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| designation2_date       = 5 October 1971
| delisted2_date          = 
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| designation2_number     = {{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB17714|short=yes}}
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| designation3            = Category C Listed Building
| designation3_offname    = Elcho Castle, Custodian's House
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| designation3_date       = 5 October 1971
| delisted3_date          = 
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| designation3_number     = {{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB17713|short=yes}}
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'''Elcho Castle''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|l|.|x|oʊ}}) is located close to the south bank of the [[River Tay]] approximately four miles south-east of [[Perth, Scotland]], in the region of [[Perth and Kinross]]. It was maintained by [[Clan Wemyss]] from its construction around 1560 until it was put into the care of the [[Secretary of State for Scotland]] in the early 20th century, though was not occupied for the entire time. In around 1830 it was re-roofed and a nearby cottage constructed. The castle has been a [[scheduled monument]] since 1920 on the grounds of being "a particularly fine example of a Medieval tower-house", and the cottage became a [[Listed building#Scotland|listed building]] in 1971 in recognition of its national importance. The castle is unusual in that it has both [[en suite]] guest accommodation like a mansion, but also a large number of [[gun loops]].

==Description==

Elcho Castle consists of an approximately [[Z-plan castle|Z-plan]] [[tower house]], with evidence of a surrounding wall (a [[barmkin]]). It is a multi-storied structure with a large square tower at one corner, and three other integrated towers on the north-side. Some of the windows have metal [[grille (architecture)|grilles]] for defence, and 17 [[gun loops]] are present at the lower levels. There is only a single entrance to the castle, located at ground-level in the south-west tower, and is protected by a [[yett]]. There is a walk-way on top of the walls, with a [[parapet]], though as with the south-eastern [[corbelled]] turret featuring large windows, it was thought to be more for inhabitants to view the surrounds than the defence. The castle was built with stone rubble and dressed sandstone. The walls would have been [[harled]], but only small patches have survived.<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|6, 10}} One of the dormer windows on the south side features an [[annulet (heraldry)|annulet]] (sometimes used as a [[cadency]] to represent a fifth son).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ballingal |first1=James |title=The Rhynd and Elcho: A Parish History |date=1905 |publisher=D. Douglas |location=Edinburgh |pages=66 |url=https://archive.org/details/rhyndandelchoap00ballgoog/page/n82/mode/1up |language=English}}</ref>

The first floor (known as the "[[noble floor]]") primarily consists of the main hall, which was lit by south-facing windows, and great bedchamber which also acted as a private reception room with a small side room and [[en suite]] latrine.<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|18–20}} The upper floors were large for the time, and included multiple smaller rooms with roof-top walkways. It also includes a "guest wing" with their own latrines, which is unusual.<ref name="secret">{{Cite web|url=https://www.secret-scotland.com/place/elcho-castle|title=Elcho Castle Visitor Info &#124; Secret Scotland Tours|website=www.secret-scotland.com}}</ref> There is a large [[Stairs#Spiral and helical stairs|turnpike staircase]] to the first floor, with additional staircases to the upper floors.<ref name="everycastle">{{Cite web|url=http://www.everycastle.com/Elcho-Castle.html|title=Elcho Castle – Castles, Palaces and Fortresses|website=www.everycastle.com}}</ref><ref name="macsween" />{{rp|21}} The ground floor (known as "below stairs") was [[vaulted]], with a large kitchen, fireplace, and cellars.<ref name="scottishcastlesassociation">{{Cite web|url=https://scottishcastlesassociation.com/about-us/associated-castles/elcho-castle.htm|title=Elcho Castle &#124; Scottish Castles Association|website=scottishcastlesassociation.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fawcett |first1=Richard |title=Tour Elcho Castle. |url=https://www.visitdunkeld.com/tour-elcho-castle.htm |website=www.visitdunkeld.com |date=1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924114205/https://www.visitdunkeld.com/tour-elcho-castle.htm |archive-date=24 September 2022}}</ref> A long corridor connected the lower rooms. A smaller staircase gave servants direct access to the floor above without needing to use the main staircase.<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|16–17}}

A quarry nearby had been flooded and used a private dock on the river with what was thought to be a 19th-century jetty, though it is now the site of a garden.<ref name="plantagenet">{{cite book |last1=Somerset Fry |first1=Plantagenet |title=Castles : England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland : the definitive guide to the most impressive buildings and intriguing sites |date=2005 |publisher=David & Charles |location=Newton Abbot |isbn=978-0-7153-2212-3 |page=142}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland: Volume 101 (1968-69) |date=2020 |chapter=Archaeological notes on some harbours in Eastern Scotland |page=239 |url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/psas/contents.cfm?vol=101 |publisher=Archaeology Data Service [distributor] |location=York |chapter-url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_101/101_200_285.pdf |first=Angus |last=Graham}}</ref> The surrounding wall would have enclosed ancillary buildings, but not much has survived beyond the ruin of a small round tower in the south-east corner, which also featured a gun port.<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|22–24}}

==History==

The first reliable record of the Elcho was in 1429, when Sir David Wemyss of [[Clan Wemyss]] and [[Lord Lovat|Hugh Fraser]] made an agreement at "Elthok".<ref name="visit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/elcho-castle/history/|title=Elcho Castle: History|website=www.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref> [[Blind Harry]]'s 1480s poem about [[William Wallace]] over 150 years earlier, ''[[The Wallace (poem)|The Wallace]]'', refers to "Elchoch",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thesocietyofwilliamwallace.com/elcho.htm|title=Wallace's Well – Elcho Castle|website=thesocietyofwilliamwallace.com}}</ref> but it is not thought by [[Historic Environment Scotland]] to be a reliable source.<ref name="visit" /> In 1468 [[James III of Scotland]] confirmed that ownership of the east Elcho lands went to Sir David's son, John Wemyss, as recorded in ''The Register of the Great Seal''.<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|4}} There is a reference in 1501 to "place of Elchok",<ref name="visit" /> and in 1541 to "capitale messuagium de Elquhoch".<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|4}}

Sir John Wemyss assisted the nearby [[Elcho Nunnery]] in west Elcho some time after 1547 by providing barley and funding. Areas of land were leased to Wemyss and by 1560 eventually all the lands of Elcho were in Wemyss family hands.<ref>{{cite book |title=Pitmiddle Village & Elcho Nunnery |date=1988 |chapter=Elcho Nunnery |publisher=The Society at Perth Museum and Art Gallery |pages=52–53 |url=http://www.psns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/PSNS-Pitmiddle-Village-and-Elcho-Nunnery-1988-complete-book.pdf}}</ref><ref name="macsween" />{{rp|4–5}} The current castle was built on the site of an older structure about 1560.<ref>Charles Wemyss, ''Noble House of Scotland'' (Prestel Verlag, 2014), p. 58.</ref> The main seat of Clan Wemyss was [[Wemyss Castle]] in [[Fife]] with Elcho castle being more of a country retreat.<ref name="castleguy">{{Cite web|url=https://thecastleguy.co.uk/castle/elcho-castle/|title=Elcho Castle|website=The Castle Guy|author=Simon Forder}}</ref> Sir John died in 1571 and his son David took possession of the castle.<ref name="castlefinders">{{Cite web|url=https://castle-finders.co.uk/Scotland/elcho%20castle.html|title=Elcho Castle, Perthshire|website=castle-finders.co.uk}}</ref> Sir David was involved in the wedding planning of [[James VI and I]] and [[Anne of Denmark]] in 1589.<ref name="castlefinders" />

In 1628 a descendant of Sir John, also called [[John Wemyss, 1st Earl of Wemyss|John]] became the first Lord Wemyss of Elcho in 1628, and then [[Earl of Wemyss]], Lord Elcho and Methil in 1633 by [[Charles I of England|Charles I]], and decorative plasterwork was added to the hall of the castle in celebration.<ref>{{cite thesis |last1=Napier |first1=William John |title=Kinship and politics in the art of plaster decoration |url=https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/kinship-and-politics-in-the-art-of-plaster-decoration |language=en |date=2012 |publisher=University of Dundee |pages=185}}</ref> The letters "E I W" are carved outside near the door, thought to stand for "Earl James Wemyss". Sir John died in 1649, the same year Charles was executed.<ref name="DNB">{{cite DNB|wstitle=Wemyss, David (1678-1720)}}</ref><ref name="memorials">{{cite book |last1=Fraser |first1=William |title=Memorials of the family of Wemyss of Wemyss |date=1888 |location=Edinburgh |url=https://archive.org/details/memorialsoffamil01fras/page/408/mode/2up |volume=1}}</ref>{{rp|206–237}} His only son, [[David Wemyss, 2nd Earl of Wemyss]], become the subsequent Lord Elcho, though lived at [[Wemyss Castle]]. He died in 1697 without a male heir and his titles passed to [[Margaret Wemyss, 3rd Countess of Wemyss]]. She was succeeded by her son, [[David Wemyss, 4th Earl of Wemyss]].<ref name="memorials" />{{rp|238–296}}

Following the death of David, his son [[James Wemyss, 5th Earl of Wemyss]] became the next earl. James' eldest son, [[David Wemyss, Lord Elcho|David Wemyss]], was heavily involved with the [[Jacobite rising of 1745]] and escaped to France and lost his titles.<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|10}} The castle was sold in 1749 by James to his second son, [[Francis Wemyss-Charteris]], who had also taken his maternal grandfather's name.<ref name="stravaiging">{{cite web |title=Elcho Castle {{!}} Castle in Rhynd, Perthshire {{!}} Stravaiging around Scotland |url=http://www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/elcho-castle/ |website=www.stravaiging.com}}</ref>

The castle was not involved in any military action, but was nearly burned in 1773 when it was being used as a grain store during a famine. Grain was being stored for export to fetch higher prices, and soldiers had to prevent a riot. The grain was subsequently sold on the open market in Perth.<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|10}}<ref name="castlefinders" /><ref name="statement" /> After this incident the castle was abandoned.<ref name="castlesfortsbattles">{{Cite web |url=http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/perth_fife/elcho_castle.html|title=Elcho Castle &#124; Perthshire, Kinross, Angus and Fife &#124; Castles, Forts and Battles|website=www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="scottishcastlesassociation" />

An [[engraving]] of Elcho castle was done by [[James Fittler]] in 1804.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digital.nls.uk/scotia-depicta/archive/74582384|title=Elcho Castle [Plate]|work=Scotia Depicta|publisher=National Library of Scotland}}</ref> It is part of ''Scotia Depicta'', which is now held at [[National Library of Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digital.nls.uk/scotia-depicta/archive/74465058?mode=gallery|title=Scotia Depicta|publisher=National Library of Scotland}}</ref> The castle was re-roofed in 1830 by [[Francis Douglas, 8th Earl of Wemyss]] in order to preserve it.<ref name="visit" /><ref name="whichcastle">{{Cite web|url=https://www.whichcastle.com/perthshire/elchocastle.htm|title=Elcho Castle, Perthshire &#124; WhichCastle.com|website=www.whichcastle.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Traquiar |first1=James |title=The New Statistical Account of Scotland Vol X |date=1845 |publisher=William Blackwood and Sons |location=Edinburgh and London |url=https://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/static/statacc/dist/viewer/nsa-vol10-Introduction_to_volume_10_of_account_2/ |chapter=Parish of Rhynd |chapter-url=https://stat-acc-scot.edina.ac.uk/static/statacc/dist/viewer/nsa-vol10-Parish_record_for_Rhynd_in_the_county_of_Perth_in_volume_10_of_account_2/ |pages=362–363}}</ref> Few other modifications were done to the castle itself since it was first built.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/53/elcho.html|title=Elcho Castle Elchoch Elchok Rhynd Perth Perthshire Tayside Perth and Kinross Angus Scotland Scottish|website=www.castleuk.net}}</ref><ref name="macsween" />{{rp|2}} In around 1830 a single-storey cottage with attic was built, thought to have been constructed from material from the courtyard wall. It also has a log column porch.<ref name="macsween">{{cite book |last1=MacSween |first1=Ann |title=Elcho Castle |date=2003 |publisher=Historic Scotland |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-903570-77-7}}</ref>{{rp|13}}<ref name="custodian" />

==20th and 21st century==

The property is still owned by the family of the original builders, the Wemyss family, though it has not been inhabited for some 200 years. It has nevertheless been kept in good repair – one of the earliest examples in Scotland of a building being preserved purely for its historical interest.<ref name="secret" /> It is managed by [[Historic Environment Scotland]] as a [[scheduled monument]] since 30 April 1920 in recognition of its national importance<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90140 |desc=Elcho Castle |cat=SM |access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> and guardianship of it was given to the state in 1929 by [[Hugo Charteris, 11th Earl of Wemyss]].<ref name="statement">{{Cite web|url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationId=b1aacae4-9c1e-4acd-aef4-a8150104c578|title=Elcho Castle Statement of Significance &#124; Historic Environment Scotland|website=www.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref><ref name="whichcastle"/>

A 16th-century 'beehive' doo'cot ([[Scots Language|Scots]] for [[dovecote]]) survives nearby. The dovecote became a [[Category A listed]] building in October 1971,<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB17714 |desc=ELCHO CASTLE, DOO'COT |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> whilst the early 19th century custodian's house became Category C.<ref name="custodian">{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB17713|desc=ELCHO CASTLE, CUSTODIAN'S HOUSE |cat=C |access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref> Approximately 90 fruit trees, primarily apple and pear, were planted in the orchard adjoining the castle in 1999.<ref name="archaeology" /><ref>{{cite web |author1=CW Hayes Associates |title=Elcho Castle Orchard Management Plan v2 |url=https://crispinwhayes.com.archived.website/New%20files%202/Orch%20Man%20Plan%20Elcho%20v2%20comp.pdf |date=2012}}</ref> In 2001 the ceremony of [[sasine]] was carried out, in which [[David Charteris, 12th Earl of Wemyss]] passed ownership of the castle to his grandson, Richard Charteris.<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|10}}

[[Excavation (archaeology)|Excavation]] work was carried out a number of times, including in 1987,<ref name="archaeology">{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/event/682616|title=Archaeology Notes (682616) &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk}}</ref> 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/event/1034207|title=Excavation (1034207) &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk|year=2006}}</ref> and 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/event/993115|title=Watching Brief (993115) &#124; Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk|year=2012}}</ref> Some improvements works were carried out in the late 2010s, which included roof repairs,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/decision/500000456|title=Elcho Castle – Masonry and roof repairs to the N & NE elevation (201507387)|website=portal.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref> a bench and paved area,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/decision/900001115|title=Elcho Castle – Installation of bench (300019925)|website=portal.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref> and a new path and electrical work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/decision/900007134|title=Elcho Castle – Installation of stepped path and provision of electrical connection to WC block (300025977)|website=portal.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref> In 2019 Elcho Castle was a destination of the [[River Tay]] [[water taxis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/perth-kinross/1011247/tay-water-taxis-have-become-first-step-towards-modern-vision-of-river-say-operators-as-season-concludes/|title=Tay water taxis have become 'first step' towards modern vision of river say operators as season concludes|first=Ross|last=Gardiner|date=1 November 2019|website=The Courier}}</ref>

A survey was carried out in 2021 on all 96 windows and window openings as part of conservation work by Linda Cannon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lindacannonstainedglass.com/conservation-work/elcho-castle/|title=Elcho Castle|website=lindacannonstainedglass.com}}</ref> In 2022 it was reported that the castle would be further assessed by Historic Environment Scotland as part of a national programme.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/perthshire-landmark-elcho-castle-assessed-26043141|title=Elcho Castle to be assessed as part of climate change protection project|author=Perthshire Advertiser|date=25 January 2022|website=Daily Record}}</ref> A large portion of the Castle is accessible, but a lot of the wooden floor of the third level in the main block is missing.<ref name="macsween" />{{rp|21}} It is normally open to the public 1 April to 30 September from 10am to 4pm,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/elcho-castle/prices-and-opening-times/|title=Prices and opening times|website=www.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref> but as of 2022 access is restricted and there is no public access whilst the conservation work is being carried out.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/new-measures-introduced-to-manage-the-impact-of-climate-change/|title=New measures introduced to manage the impact of climate change on Scotland's national heritage sites|website=www.historicenvironment.scot}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Scotia_Depicta_-_Elcho_Castle_-Plate-.jpg|Engraving of Elcho Castle by [[James Fittler]] in Scotia Depicta published 1804
Doocot at Elcho - geograph.org.uk - 1280869.jpg|Doo'cot at Elcho Castle
Elcho_Castle_20090618_from_the_east.jpg|View of Elcho Castle from the east
Elcho Castle (6061823139).jpg|Corner of Elcho Castle
Elcho_Castle_20090618_great_hall.jpg|Interior of Elcho Castle
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Elcho Priory]]
*[[Elcho, Wisconsin]]
*[[Elcho Shield]]
*[[Wallace's Well]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last1=MacGibbon |first1=David |last2=Ross |first2=Thomas |title=The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland volume 2 |date=1887 |publisher=David Douglas |location=Edinburgh |pages=95–103 |url=https://electricscotland.com/books/pdf/castellated_domestic_architecture_scotland2.pdf |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last1=Millar |first1=Alexander Hastie |title=The Historical Castles and Mansions of Scotland: Perthshire and Forfarshire |date=1890 |publisher=A. Gardner |pages=133–137 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d3sLAAAAYAAJ |language=|ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last1=Ballingal |first1=James |title=The Rhynd and Elcho: A Parish History |date=1905 |publisher=D. Douglas |location=Edinburgh |pages=57–70 |url=https://archive.org/details/rhyndandelchoap00ballgoog/page/n72/mode/2up |language= |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last1=Coventry |first1=Martin |title=The Castles of Scotland : A comprehensive reference and gazetteer to more than 2000 castles |date=1997 |publisher=Goblinshead |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-899874-10-1 |page=170 |edition=2nd |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last1=Haynes |first1=Nick |title=Perth & Kinross : An illustrated architectural guide |date=2000 |publisher=Rutland Press |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-873190-12-8 |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last1=Gifford |first1=John |title=Perth and Kinross |date=2007 |publisher=Yale University Press |location=New Haven, Conn. |isbn=978-0-300-10922-1 |pages=69–72,358–362 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qnd4Ll4MAi4C |ref=none}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Elcho Castle}}
*{{cite web |title=Visitor Guide |url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/elcho-castle |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |language=en}}
*[https://canmore.org.uk/site/28197/elcho-castle Elcho Castle], [https://canmore.org.uk/site/228193/elcho-castle-custodians-house Custodian's House], and [https://canmore.org.uk/site/28198/elcho-castle-dovecot Dovecot] [[Canmore (database)|Canmore]] entries
*{{cite web |title=Elcho Castle |url=https://thedarkstoryteller.com/2022/06/03/elcho-castle/ |website=The Dark Storyteller |date=3 June 2022}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.carneycastle.com/Elcho/ |title=#117 Elcho Castle |author=Robert Carney |ref=none}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Castles in Perth and Kinross]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Perth and Kinross]]
[[Category:Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Perth and Kinross]]
[[Category:Clan Charteris]]
[[Category:Tower houses in Scotland]]
[[Category:Clan Wemyss]]