Balthayock Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Balthayock Castle |
|
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
Balthayock Castle
|
|
| Coordinates | 56°23′30″N 3°20′22″W / 56.3916°N 3.3394°W |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Good |
| Site history | |
| Built | late-14th century |
| Materials | Rubble and sandstone |
Balthayock Castle, also known as the Tower of Balthayock, is an old castle located about 3 miles east of Perth, Scotland. It's a type of building called a "tower house." This castle was built a very long time ago, in the late 1300s.
The castle is quite large, measuring about 52 feet by 37 feet, and it has incredibly thick walls. For many centuries, it was owned by the Blair family, supposedly since the time of King William I (who ruled from 1165 to 1214).
By the 1870s, Balthayock Castle was in very bad shape. Luckily, a person named James Maclaren stepped in and saved it. He added new battlements (the protective walls at the top), a modern roof, and a cap-house (a small building on the roof). He also changed the inside of the castle. It was lived in until the middle of the last century, but now it's empty. Even so, it's still in good condition today.
Contents
Castle History: Key Events
Balthayock Castle has seen some interesting moments in history.
King James VI and the Northern Earls
In September 1594, King James VI of Scotland gathered an army. He was going to fight against some powerful noblemen in the north, known as the "northern earls," at the Battle of Glenlivet.
When the King was in Perth, a woman named Euphemia Douglas wrote a letter. She was the wife of the Master of Glamis. She asked Alexander Blair, who was the laird (owner) of Balthayock, to bring his followers. She wanted them to come to Glamis Castle armed and ready to join the King's journey north. This shows how important the Blair family and their castle were in supporting the King.
A Laird's Capture
A few years later, in 1599, something unexpected happened. The young laird of Balthayock and Lawrence Blair, along with a church minister named William Row, were captured. They were taken at a place called Kinross by a nobleman, the Lord Sanquhar. They were held prisoner for two weeks. This event highlights some of the conflicts and challenges faced by important families during that time.
Castle Design and Structure
Balthayock Castle is a great example of medieval architecture.
Strong Walls and Materials
The castle's walls are incredibly strong, almost 10 feet thick! They are built from a mix of sandstone and a type of stone called whin rubble. These materials made the castle very tough and hard to attack.
Historical Stone Carvings
On the east side of the castle, near a stone staircase, you can see a special stone panel. It has a coat of arms carved into it, along with the date 1370. This carving gives us a clue about when parts of the castle were built or changed.
There's another interesting carving on the southeast corner of the castle, above an archway. This one has the initials "AB" (for Blair) and "GM," and it's dated 1578. These carvings often represent the families who owned the castle and important events in its history.
Castle Layout and Changes
The main part of the castle has three floors, plus an attic. There's also a smaller wing with two floors. The first floor of this wing is divided into two rooms: a chamber and a hall.
In 1870, when James Maclaren restored the castle, he made several additions. He added a "forestair," which is an outside staircase leading to the entrance. He also put in a "crenellated parapet," which are the notched battlements you see at the top of old castles. And he added the "cap-house" on the roof. These changes helped bring the old castle back to life.
Today, Balthayock Castle is not lived in, but it remains in very good condition, standing as a reminder of Scotland's rich history.
