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Neidpath Castle is an L-plan rubble-built tower house, overlooking the River Tweed near Peebles in the Borders of Scotland. An early castle was probably built here by Simon Fraser of Oliver Castle between 1263 and 1266. Sir William de Haya probably built the present castle in the late 14th century. It was held by them until the 17th century.
During Oliver Cromwell's invasion of Scotland in 1650, Neidpath was attacked. During the 1660s, the 2nd Earl of Tweeddale remodelled the castle, and constructed outbuildings. Later Neidpath castle suffered neglect and by 1790 the upper storeys of the wing had collapsed.
The castle is today both a wedding venue and filming location and can be viewed by appointment.
Neidpath Castle is a tall L-plan tower house, one leg of the L being very short. It has rounded corners. The battlements are roofed and the sentry walk is a balustraded balcony. There are few windows, and two still have their iron bar protection. Inside, the basement and the first-floor hall are vaulted, and the hall is further divided by a wooden floor into two storeys. Other features include a pit dungeon, and some small exhibitions of artifacts found in the locale. There are remains of a partly walled garden. The archway is decorated with both the goats head emblem of the Hays and the strawberries of the Frasers.
References:The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.