Hatton Castle, Newtyle, United Kingdom

Hatton Castle stands on the lower part of Hatton Hill, to the south of Newtyle. The lands were given to Sir William Olifard (8th chief) in 1317 by Robert the Bruce. The castle was built in 1575, commissioned by Laurence, fourth Lord Oliphant (1527–1593). Hatton Castle is unusual in that it contains a scale and platt staircase incorporated into its original construction. Such a feature was normally only included in larger constructions.

A variety of people lived in Hatton Castle after the Oliphants, including at least one bishop. Hatton Castle was de-roofed in about 1720, after the 1715 Jacobite rising, when it was replaced by the Italian-style Belmont Castle in Meigle, which is now a Church of Scotland residential home. Hatton Castle gradually became encrusted by ivy and a home to pigeons and jackdaws, until it was sold by the Kinpurnie Estate for reconstruction. This has been done faithfully, initially by Roderick Oliphant of Oliphant, yr and his elder brother Richard Oliphant of that Ilk (34th chief), so its charm remains much as it was in 1575, including glass hand-made in Edinburgh, in the leaded windows.

Hatton Castle is now a family home, and the present owners have continued the restoration.

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Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

Château de Niort

Château de Niort is a medieval castle in the French town of Niort. It consists of two square towers, linked by a 15th-century building and dominates the Sèvre Niortaise valley.

The two donjons are the only remaining part of the castle. The castle was started by Henry II Plantagenet in the 12th century and completed by Richard the Lionheart. It was defended by a rectangular curtain wall and was damaged during the Wars of Religion. In the 18th century, the castle served as a prison.

The present keeps were the central point of a massive fortress. The southern keep is 28m tall, reinforced with turrets. The northern tower is slightly shorter at 23m. Both are flanked with circular turrets at the corners as well as semicircular buttresses. Each of the towers has a spiral staircase serving the upper floors. The Romanesque architecture is of a high quality with the dressed stones closely jointed.

Regi Johnston (4 years ago)
Showed up here by accident, never realised it was a residence, was met by a really nice man who pointed us towards pitcur castle, don't think he believed us when we said we were there by accident

Martin Òfarraidh (4 years ago)
Fantastic hosts and amazing place, the grounds are stunning the castle is phenomenal, I could live here!

Charlie Robertson (4 years ago)
Beautiful place

Chris White (5 years ago)
Such a sense of history in a delightful family home.

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