Drochil Castle

Today I took a run down to the Borders and immediately felt completely away from everything. The fields were full of sheep and lambs, verges cloaked in swathes of daffodils and many trees were beginning to green up - everywhere had a real look of spring, although a cold wind and frequent showers made it less hospitable outside the car.

Today's mission was to suss out some Border castles. I saw quite a few but decided to feature Drochil Castle, located not far from Peebles above the Lyne Water. James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, regent of Scotland, started building the castle in 1578 as a place to retire to from the cut and thrust of politics, but he became involved in political intrigue and was executed. So that was the end of that! The building was abandoned, but it is A-listed as it has a unique design with a wide central corridor running through the building on each of its four storeys from end to end. Unfortunately, it is an unsafe ruin and cannot be visited at close quarters. This view shows its fortified tower and gun turrets. Not much sign of green leaves here and more a look of winter than mid-May.