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Elcho Castle

Coordinates: 56°22′18.90″N 3°21′22.92″W / 56.3719167°N 3.3563667°W / 56.3719167; -3.3563667
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Elcho Castle
The front of Elcho Castle
BuiltAround 1560
Official nameElcho Castle
TypeSecular: castle
Designated30 April 1920
Reference no.SM90140
Listed Building – Category A
Official nameELCHO CASTLE, DOO'COT
Designated5 October 1971
Reference no.LB17714
Listed Building – Category C(S)
Official nameELCHO CASTLE, CUSTODIAN'S HOUSE
Designated5 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. It was the property of Clan Wemyss until it was given to the state in the early 20th century, though was not occupied for the entire now. It has been a scheduled monument since 1920.

Description

It consists of an approximately Z-plan tower house, with evidence of a surrounding wall (a barmkin). It is a five-storey structure with a large square tower at once corner, and three other integated towers on the north-side. Some of the windows have metal grilles for defence, and a number of gun ports are present. A quarry nearby was originally flooded and used a a private dock on the river, though it is now the site of a garden.[1]

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.[2] There is a large turnpike staircase to the first floor, with additional staircases to the upper floors.[3] The basement was vaulted, with a large kichen, fireplace, and cellars.[4]

History

The first reliable record of the Elcho was in 1429, when Sir David Wemyss and Hugh Fraser made an agreement at "Elthok".[5] Blind Harry's 1480s poem about William Wallace over 150 years earlier, The Wallace, refefs to "Elchoch",[6] but it not thought by Historic Environment Scotland to be a reliable source.[5] In 1448 James II of Scotland confirmed that Elcho ownerhip went to Sir David's son, John Wemyss.[7] There is a reference in 1501 to "place of Elchok".[5]

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 with Elcho castle being more of a country retreat.[8] John Wemyss assisted the nearby Elcho Nunnery around this time.[9] Sir John died in 1571 and his son David took possession of the castle.[7] Sir David was involved in the wedding planning of James VI and I and Anne of Denmark in 1589.[7]

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 decorative plasterwork was added to the hall of the castle in celebration.[10] Sir John died in 1649.[11][12]: 206–237  His only son, David Wemyss, 2nd Earl of Wemyss, become the subsequent Lord Elcho, though lived at Wemyss Castle.[12]: 238–296 

The castle was sold in 1749 by James Wemyss, 5th Earl of Wemyss to his second son, Francis Wemyss-Charteris.[citation needed]

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.[13]

An engraving of Elcho castle was done by James Fittler in 1804.[14] It is part of Scotia Depicta, which is now held at National Library of Scotland.[15] The castle was re-roofed in 1830[13] by Francis Douglas, 8th Earl of Wemyss in order to preserve it.[5][16] Few other modifications were done since it was first built.[17]

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.[2] It is managed by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument since 30 April 1920[18] and was given to the state in 1929 by Hugo Charteris, 11th Earl of Wemyss.[16]

An apple- and pear-tree orchard adjoining the castle has been replanted in recent years,[citation needed] and a 16th-century 'beehive' doo'cot (Scots for dovecote) survives nearby. The dovecote became a Category A listed building in October 1971[19], whilst the custodian's house became Category C.[20]

Excavation work was carried out a number of times, including in 1987,[21] 2006[22] and 2012.[23] Some improvements works were carried out in the late 2010s, which included roof repairs,[24] a bench and paved area,[25] and a new path and electrical work.[26] In 2019 Elcho Castle was a destination of the River Tay water taxis.[27]

A survey was carried out in 2021 on all 96 windows and window openings as part of conversation work by Linda Cannon.[28] In 2022 it was reported that the castle would be further assessed by Historic Environment Scotland as part of a national programme.[29]

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 was open to visitors throughout the summer.

  • Engraving of Elcho Castle by James Fittler in Scotia Depicta published 1804
    Engraving of Elcho Castle by James Fittler in Scotia Depicta published 1804
  • Doo'cot at Elcho Csatle
    Doo'cot at Elcho Csatle
  • View of Elcho Castle from the east
    View of Elcho Castle from the east
  • Corner of Elcho Castle
    Corner of Elcho Castle
  • Interior of Elcho Castle
    Interior of Elcho Castle

See also

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b "Elcho Castle Visitor Info | Secret Scotland Tours". www.secret-scotland.com.
  3. ^ "Elcho Castle - Castles, Palaces and Fortresses". www.everycastle.com.
  4. ^ "Elcho Castle | Scottish Castles Association". scottishcastlesassociation.com.
  5. ^ a b c d "Elcho Castle: History". www.historicenvironment.scot.
  6. ^ "Wallace's Well - Elcho Castle". thesocietyofwilliamwallace.com.
  7. ^ a b c "Elcho Castle, Perthshire". castle-finders.co.uk.
  8. ^ Simon Forder. "Elcho Castle". The Castle Guy.
  9. ^ Pitmiddle Village & Elcho Nunnery (PDF). The Society at Perth Museum and Art Gallery. 1988. pp. 52–53.
  10. ^ Napier, William John (2012). Kinship and politics in the art of plaster decoration (Thesis). University of Dundee. p. 185.
  11. ^ "Wemyss, David (1678-1720)" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  12. ^ a b Fraser, William (1888). Memorials of the family of Wemyss of Wemyss. Edinburgh.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  13. ^ a b "Elcho Castle | Perthshire, Kinross, Angus and Fife | Castles, Forts and Battles". www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk.
  14. ^ "Elcho Castle [Plate]". Scotia Depicta. National Library of Scotland.
  15. ^ "Scotia Depicta". National Library of Scotland.
  16. ^ a b "Elcho Castle, Perthshire | WhichCastle.com". www.whichcastle.com.
  17. ^ "Elcho Castle Elchoch Elchok Rhynd Perth Perthshire Tayside Perth and Kinross Angus Scotland Scottish". www.castleuk.net.
  18. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Elcho Castle (Scheduled Monument) (SM90140)". Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  19. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "ELCHO CASTLE, DOO'COT (Category A Listed Building) (LB17714)". Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  20. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "ELCHO CASTLE, CUSTODIAN'S HOUSE (Category C Listed Building) (LB17713)". Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  21. ^ https://canmore.org.uk/event/682616
  22. ^ https://canmore.org.uk/event/1034207
  23. ^ https://canmore.org.uk/event/993115
  24. ^ "Elcho Castle – Masonry and roof repairs to the N & NE elevation (201507387)". portal.historicenvironment.scot.
  25. ^ "Elcho Castle – Installation of bench (300019925)". portal.historicenvironment.scot.
  26. ^ "Elcho Castle – Installation of stepped path and provision of electrical connection to WC block (300025977)". portal.historicenvironment.scot.
  27. ^ Gardiner, Ross (1 November 2019). "Tay water taxis have become 'first step' towards modern vision of river say operators as season concludes". The Courier.
  28. ^ "Elcho Castle". lindacannonstainedglass.com.
  29. ^ Perthshire Advertiser (25 January 2022). "Elcho Castle to be assessed as part of climate change protection project". Daily Record.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Elcho Castle.

56°22′18.90″N 3°21′22.92″W / 56.3719167°N 3.3563667°W / 56.3719167; -3.3563667

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