A Happy New Year From Fatlips

What a joy it was to wake this morning to sunshine and clear blue sky. 

It lasted long enough for us to get to the top of Minto Craig. On top sits a tower with the unlikely name of Fatlips Castle. Once it was the home of an unsavoury character by the name of Turnbull, a cattle thief, as were a great many others round here, back in the 1500s. Supposedly he also liked to kiss the ladies 'with less discretion than was considered decent at the time', hence the nickname. 

The building was destroyed during those rough times, but rebuilt as a shooting lodge late in the 19th century. By the 1960s it was ruinous again, but it has recently been restored. 

If you remember to collect the key before you set off, you can go inside and climb up to the parapet walk. We have never managed to do this, but the views are pretty good wherever you stand. 

Happy New Year!