Duntarvie Castle, Winchburgh, United Kingdom

Duntarvie Castle is a ruined Scots Renaissance house in West Lothian. The lands of Duntarvie were in possession of the Lindsays from 1527. A charter of 1605 transferred the property from the Lindsays to the Hamiltons of Abercorn, and this 1605 charter infers the existence of the castle as early as 1212. The Durham family held Duntarvie as tenants of the Hamiltons, although according to Historic Environment Scotland, Duntarvie was granted to James Durham in 1588, who had the building constructed shortly afterward.

Alexander Durham (died 1584) held royal appointments including as a clerk in the Exchequer, the administrator of John Stewart of Coldingham, and Master of the Prince's Wardrobe to King James VI. Alexander's son James took over his father's offices in 1580, and served as Chamberlain for Linlithgowshire between 1595 and 1600. James witnessed several royal charters made by King James at Holyroodhouse. The Durham family left Duntarvie in the 1770s.

By 1826 the house was in the ownership of the Earl of Hopetoun, and in need of urgent repair. It was uninhabited from the 1840s, and by the 20th century it was ruinous and roofless.

In the late 20th century the shell was purchased by kiltmaker Geoffrey Nicholsby, with the intention of restoring it as a headquarters of his business Highland Crafts Ltd. Preparatory work began in 1994, but part of the east tower collapsed in January 1995. Work continued in the Great hall of the castle with the aim to opening this part of the building up to couples who wish to get married within the castle building.

The house comprises a long, rectangular three-storey main block, with square four-storey towers projecting northwards at the ends. Each of these towers had a flat roof with a stone balustrade, and is flanked by a turnpike stair housed in a turret in the internal angle. The ground floor and first floor are linked by a straight stair, unusual for its date.

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Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

George Charles (2 years ago)
Was working at wedding at this venue poorly laid out only takes one badly positioned car and you are totally blocked in over 100 guest's at wedding looked like only 4 toilet for all

Marjory Sutherland (4 years ago)
We had a terrific time at our sons wedding. The wedding coordinator did everything to help us arrange a wonderful day.

ScottishExplorer (4 years ago)
Ongoing restoration but the lighting looks very appealing and can't help but be great for tourism industry

Brian Henderson (5 years ago)
Stunning bits of old castle

Janis Crawford (5 years ago)
Fantastic venue

Duntarvie Castle

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Church of St Donatus