Fatlips Castle Minto

Fatlips Castle is a prominently sited tower house overlooking the Teviot valley east of Hawick. Built on the top of Minto Crag, it is accessible on foot but the tower is kept locked. The tower is a simple rectangular tower with a single room on each floor and a winding stair in one corner. It was extensively repaired in the 19th century, and the wallwalk and roof are modern.

The tower was built by the Turnbull family in the 16th century, and it was repeatedly attacked and damaged, first mentioned as “Mantoncrake” in 1545. Apart from this, the history of the castle is unknown, but the Turnbulls sold up in 1673, and the tower was in ruins by the mid 18th century. First recorded as Fatlips in 1851, the name has only folklore to explain it. The tower was used as a museum until the 1960s, when it was abandoned and left to decay until further repairs between 2011 and 2013. Until recently it was possible to access the castle with a key held locally, but at the time of writing this access is no longer possible.

HES Canmore database entry

Turnbull Clan Association website

Minto Estate website