The History of Stobo Castle

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Location	Stobo, Peeblesshire, Scotland (Google Map Location)
Open for Visitors	Yes
Owned By	Stephen Winyard
Official Website	Stobo Castle
Rooms Available	Yes

Located in the historic county of Peeblesshire in the Scottish Borders countryside, Stobo Castle has been the abode of the Baronage of Stobo since 1577. The rural castle is currently one of the most luxurious spa resorts in the area.

History

The mention of Stobo Castle entered history during the twelfth century when it was named as one of the most extensive castles in the Church of Glasgow. Progressive post-Reformation proprietors of the land included the distinguished Borders families like the Earls of Morton, the Maitlands of Thirlestane, the Tweedies, and the Murrays toward the beginning of the seventeenth century. Sir Alexander Murray of Stanhope is credited with the beginning of Stobo Castle’s architectural beauty during the eighteenth century. Alexander Murray’s son, David, acquired the barony of Stobo in 1743. Yet, his association in the 1745 uprising and resulting expulsion and exile to France prompted the relinquishment of the ownership of the castle.

The castle was then passed on to the Montgomery family, who possessed the castle from 1766 to 1901. Montgomery had the monetary fortitude to execute further improvements in the castle’s architecture. During the final part of the eighteenth century, key architectural components of the present Stobo Castle started to come to fruition- the Quarry Hill, the parks, the foundation of the south drive, and the development of the walled garden. After the Montgomery’s, Hylton Philipson bought the castle. Philipson took a private interest in improving the home and carried out two key tasks- the terraced gardens and the water garden inspired by Japanese-style architecture. The castle stayed with the Philipson family until 1939, after which the Countess of Dysart bought it. In 1971, a large part of the castle was bought by Leo Seymour.

Architecture

Stobo Castle is a fortified castle constructed between 1805-11, based on Inveraray Castle. It is made with irregular whinstone with sandstone dressings, and high towers include 3-story blocks with corner towers and a high tower with chimney flutes. The architectural marvel, Porte-cochère, was added to the north front in 1849 by Edinburgh designer John Lessels. The twofold stone step to the upper garden porch was added on the western front in 1907 Peddie and Washington. One of the most significant components of the castle is the Edwardian Japanese-style Water Garden, situated in a crevasse towards the north and made by the then proprietor Hylton Philipson in a joint effort with the castle’s designer Edward White. The garden was created close to other architectural projects expected to produce hydroelectric power from the Weston Burn and shape a decorative loch inside the castle area.

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