Romantically situated on a bend of the River Tweed, just one mile west of Peebles, Neidpath is a well-known castle by sight.
The Hays erected the tower around 1370. The family later became Lords Hay of Yester and then Earls of Tweeddale.
In 1686 the estate was sold to the Douglas Dukes of Queensberry, one of whom allowed the castle to become neglected. In 1810 the castle passed to the Earl of Wemyss, whose heir is styled Lord Neidpath.
The second floor of the Neidpath castle has two bedrooms, one styled as Queen Mary’s Room, for Mary, Queen of Scots stayed in 1563, but not in this room. James VI stayed in 1587.
A lintel in the southwest turnpike has a carved sword on it, indicating that it was once a medieval gravestone. Two wall walks afford impressive views.
The present roof dates from 1938. The courtyard has a modern cottage and ruins of a bakehouse, plus an ornate gateway with the Hay crest on a keystone.
The Castle Today
Currently, Neidpath Castle is not open for visits.
Neidpath Castle Location
Address: Neidpath Castle, Peebles EH45 8NW, United Kingdom, Get help with directions using the map provided below: