Elcho Castle: Difference between revisions
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The current castle was built on the site of an older structure about 1560 for Sir John Wemyss of [[Clan Wemyss]]. The main seat of Clan Wemyss was [[Wemyss Castle]] in [[Fife]].{{cn|date=September 2022}} John Wemyss assisted the nearby [[Elcho Nunnery]] around this time.<ref>{{cite book |title=Pitmiddle Village & Elcho Nunnery |date=1988 |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> Sir John died in 1571 and his son David took possession of the castle.<ref name="castefinders" /> Sir David was involved in the wedding planning of [[James VI and I]] and [[Anne of Denmark]] in 1589.<ref name="castefinders" /> |
The current castle was built on the site of an older structure about 1560 for Sir John Wemyss of [[Clan Wemyss]]. The main seat of Clan Wemyss was [[Wemyss Castle]] in [[Fife]].{{cn|date=September 2022}} John Wemyss assisted the nearby [[Elcho Nunnery]] around this time.<ref>{{cite book |title=Pitmiddle Village & Elcho Nunnery |date=1988 |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> Sir John died in 1571 and his son David took possession of the castle.<ref name="castefinders" /> Sir David was involved in the wedding planning of [[James VI and I]] and [[Anne of Denmark]] in 1589.<ref name="castefinders" /> |
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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, and died in 1649.<ref name="DNB">{{cite DNB|wstitle=Wemyss, David (1678-1720)}}</ref> |
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, and died in 1649.<ref name="DNB">{{cite DNB|wstitle=Wemyss, David (1678-1720)}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Fraser |first1=William |title=Memorials of the family of Wemyss of Wemyss |date=1888 |location=Edinburgh |pages=206-237 |url=https://archive.org/details/memorialsoffamil01fras/page/408/mode/2up}}</ref> |
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The castle was not involved in any military action, but was nearly burned in 1773 when it was being used as a grain store. After which it was abandoned.<ref name="castlesfortsbattles">{{Cite web|url=http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/perth_fife/elcho_castle.html|title=Elcho Castle | Perthshire, Kinross, Angus and Fife | Castles, Forts and Battles|website=www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk}}</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. After which it was abandoned.<ref name="castlesfortsbattles">{{Cite web|url=http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/perth_fife/elcho_castle.html|title=Elcho Castle | Perthshire, Kinross, Angus and Fife | Castles, Forts and Battles|website=www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 19:38, 22 September 2022
| Elcho Castle | |
|---|---|
 The front of Elcho Castle | |
| Built | Around 1560 |
| Official name | Elcho Castle |
| Type | Secular: castle |
| Designated | 30 April 1920 |
| Reference no. | SM90140 |
Listed Building – Category A | |
| Official name | ELCHO CASTLE, DOO'COT |
| Designated | 5 October 1971 |
| Reference no. | LB17714 |
Listed Building – Category C(S) | |
| Official name | ELCHO CASTLE, CUSTODIAN'S HOUSE |
| Designated | 5 October 1971 |
| Reference no. | LB17713 |
Elcho Castle (/ˈɛl.xoʊ/) is located a short distance above the south bank of the River Tay approximately four miles south-east of Perth, Scotland, in the region of Perth and Kinross.
Description
It consists of a Z-plan tower house, with fragments of a surrounding wall with corner towers.[citation needed]
History
The first reliable record of the Elcho was in 1429, when Sir David Wemyss and Hugh Fraser made an agreement at "Elthok".[1] Blind Harry's 1480s poem about William Wallace over 150 years earlier, The Wallace, refefs to "Elchoch", but it not thought by Historic Environment Scotland to be a reliable source.[1] In 1448 James II of Scotland confirmed that Elcho ownerhip went to Sir David's son, hist Wemyss.[2]
The current castle was built on the site of an older structure about 1560 for Sir John Wemyss of Clan Wemyss. The main seat of Clan Wemyss was Wemyss Castle in Fife.[citation needed] John Wemyss assisted the nearby Elcho Nunnery around this time.[3] Sir John died in 1571 and his son David took possession of the castle.[2] Sir David was involved in the wedding planning of James VI and I and Anne of Denmark in 1589.[2]
In 1628 a descendant of Sir John, also called John became the first Lord Wemyss of Elcho in 1628, and then Earl of Wemyss, Lord Elcho and Methil in 1633, and died in 1649.[4][5]
The castle was not involved in any military action, but was nearly burned in 1773 when it was being used as a grain store. After which it was abandoned.[6]
An engraving of Elcho castle was done by James Fittler in 1804.[7] It is part of Scotia Depicta, which is now held at National Library of Scotland.[8]
It was re-roofed in 1830.[6]
20th and 21st century
A large portion of the Castle is accessible, although floors in some rooms have fallen, and much of the building can be walked through. The wall-walk is accessible at two points. The castle is open to visitors throughout the summer. There is an entrance charge.
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. It is managed by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument.[9]
An apple- and pear-tree orchard adjoining the castle has been replanted in recent years, and a 16th-century 'beehive' doo'cot (Scots for dovecote) survives nearby. The dovecote became a Category A listed building in October 1971[10], whilst the custodian's house became Category C.[11]
In 2019 Elcho Castle was a destination of the River Tay water taxis.[12]
A survey was carried out in 2021 on all 96 windows and window openings as part of conversation work by Linda Cannon.[13] In 2022 it was reported that the castle would be further assessed by Historic Environment Scotland as part of a national programme.[14]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Elcho Castle: History". www.historicenvironment.scot.
- ^ a b c "Elcho Castle, Perthshire". castle-finders.co.uk.
- ^ Pitmiddle Village & Elcho Nunnery (PDF). The Society at Perth Museum and Art Gallery. 1988. pp. 52–53.
- ^ . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
- ^ Fraser, William (1888). Memorials of the family of Wemyss of Wemyss. Edinburgh. pp. 206–237.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b "Elcho Castle | Perthshire, Kinross, Angus and Fife | Castles, Forts and Battles". www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk.
- ^ "Elcho Castle [Plate]". Scotia Depicta. National Library of Scotland.
- ^ "Scotia Depicta". National Library of Scotland.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Elcho Castle (Scheduled Monument) (SM90140)". Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "ELCHO CASTLE, DOO'COT (Category A Listed Building) (LB17714)". Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "ELCHO CASTLE, CUSTODIAN'S HOUSE (Category C Listed Building) (LB17713)". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ Gardiner, Ross (1 November 2019). "Tay water taxis have become 'first step' towards modern vision of river say operators as season concludes". The Courier.
- ^ "Elcho Castle". lindacannonstainedglass.com.
- ^ Perthshire Advertiser (25 January 2022). "Elcho Castle to be assessed as part of climate change protection project". Daily Record.
Further reading
- MacSween, Ann (2008). Elcho Castle (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Historic Scotland. ISBN 978-1-904966-70-8.
- Coventry, Martin (1997). The Castles of Scotland : A comprehensive reference and gazetteer to more than 2000 castles (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Goblinshead. p. 170. ISBN 1899874100.
- Somerset Fry, Plantagenet (2005). Castles : England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland : the definitive guide to the most impressive buildings and intriguing sites. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 142. ISBN 0715322125.
- MacGibbon, David; Ross, Thomas (1887). The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland volume 2 (PDF). Edinburgh: David Douglas. pp. 95–103.
External links
