******PLEASE NOTE:  FATLIPS CASTLE IS NOW OFFICIALY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE *****

Fatlips Castle has this week had a Sealed Door installed in the entrance.  Please do not attempt to enter the castle.  The Roof has been inspected by a Structural Engineer and it has been deemed too unsafe for entry to the tower.  You can see images of inside the Tower using the Gallery on this site, and there is a Video on Youtube of a tour of the Crags. People are still welcome by the land owner to visit the tower and enjoy the wonderful views and architecture from the outside. This is for your safety - the roof is coming down, its a matter of when, and no one should be inside it when that happens - imagine the consequences!                                            Friday 20th March 2009

This is the much loved wee tower that sits high on a rocky hill in the Scottish Borders known as Minto Crags. Renovated as recently as 1897, the roof has now all but gone.

Known under various guises such as Fatlips Castle, Minto Castle, Mantoncrake Castle, Catslick Castle The Tower was once a Turnbull Clan Stronghold, but the crags themselves have been in use for many years - evidence is recorded of an older Fort nearby to the existing tower.

Renovated by Robert Lorimer in the 1890's the Tower then became a Shooting Lodge and Gallery in the Victorian era.  The Crags have (now overgrown) pathways that take you on an adventurous exploration round the hillside.

It has been called an icon of the Borders, resting on its rocky perch watching and protecting the valley below.

I have grown up underneath this castle's watchful gaze.   It is amazing just how many people from all over the world have been in contact with me since this site started.  This castle is in the hearts of more people than I even realised possible, they were just waiting for a united point of contact, somewhere where they could all say "We want to see Fatlips saved too".

This tower is perceived as being at a disadvantage with regards to being rescued, because of its location on a high craggy hill and previous issues with vandalism which may be amongst the reasons action has not yet been taken.  More information about these can be found on the "Issues with Fatlips" page.

Fatlips is such a brilliant place both historically and to the present-day visitor, and it is worthy at least of having a weather-proof roof over it's head to protect it for us and for future generations of Border explorers.

 ....I  tend to add snippets to this site at a time, so bear with the site, save it into your favourties and keep checking back.  And feel free to contact me if the site doesn't answer your questions.  I can provide you with a little bit of the background of the current state and plight of the Castle with external links - rather than repeating what I have found online I have provided links to sites with information about the castle on them.  Please bear in mind the opinions on the sites bear no relation to mine.

This next link takes you to a local newspaper article about the plight of Fatlips, http://www.turnbullclan.com/main/fatlips_castle.htm

For a Response by the Owner of Fatlips Castle to a letter I wrote to him, please see the page 'Issues with Fatlips'

To find out about the notorious Turnbull clan and the branch descendants please visit http://www.turnbullclan.com  and also http://clanturnbull.com The Turnbull Clan fully support The Burning Beacon's campaign. (Image of piper by Wally Turnbull 2007)

Thanks goes to John Rogerson, of Ancrum, for sharing with me an image of the crest and panelling of the ceiling of the main hall, thought to be the only image of it in existence.  The ceiling of the main hall is now completely gone, so this image is of great importance, and will be online for your prerusal shortly!  John remembers going up there in the 1970's and seeing the cannon guns outside the castle and the yett in place in the doorway. 

John also tells of a shed on the far side of the hill that housed horse-sleighs that possibly originated from Canada, which is where the late Lord Minto's first wife was from.  One of these was a fine example of a trap made by Crole and Crole of Canada, with its only injury being one rotted shaft from a hole in the roof. The shed also housed a Native American canoe which had fallen into disrepair due to a leak in the roof and water running onto it.  John used to climb the crags, and on one occassion came across an ornamental spear at the bottom of his climb, where someone had tossed it from the top of the crags!  The spear's location is now unknown, but it is believed to have come from Fatlips when it was in use as a museum.

He reminded me that there used to be a wooden chalet on the left side of the hill, which was used by the late Lord Minto's wife as a place for picnics.  I believe it burned down, and no trace of it now exists.

If you would like to add your name in support of this castle being preserved or restored, please visit the 'Friends of Fatlips' page of this site. 

Visit the Burning Beacon Forum, where you can add your thoughts and comments on the plight of Fatlips Castle

I would like to extend a huge WELL DONE to all the members of the Turnbull Clan who made the climb to the top of the hill on Thursday 14th June (photo below).  It was great to meet you all and an honour to be included!

FATLIPS IS ON FACEBOOK!! 

There are images on the Group page contributed by lots of people who have visited the castle.  Many thanks for the contributions.