Bridge Castle facts for kids
Bridge Castle is an old castle from the 1500s. It stands on a rocky spot about 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Bathgate in West Lothian, Scotland. It's located on the west side of the Barbauchlaw Burn. This castle used to be called Little Brighouse.
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A Look at Bridge Castle's Past
Bridge Castle has a long and interesting history. It has been owned by different important families over the centuries.
Who Owned Bridge Castle?
In 1588, Alexander Stewart sold the castle to William Livingstone, 6th Lord Livingston. Lord Livingston likely added a new part to the castle, making it bigger.
Later, the Livingstone family supported a group called the Jacobites in 1715. When the Jacobites lost, the Livingstones lost their land and titles.
After that, the Hope family took over the property. The castle is still owned by the Hope family today.
How the Castle Changed Over Time
A famous architect named James Maitland Wardrop made some big changes to the castle inside. He also made it larger, turning it into a grand Victorian mansion. This happened during the Victorian era, which was a time of many changes in building styles.
In 1971, Bridge Castle was officially recognized as a special historic building. At that time, it was being used as a hotel.
What Does Bridge Castle Look Like?
Bridge Castle has a unique shape and interesting features that show its age and changes over time.
The Castle's Shape and Size
Originally, the castle was a rectangular building with three main floors and a small attic space at the very top.
A new section was added to the castle, which gave it an "L" shape. This new part has special stepped gables, which are the triangular parts of the wall at the end of a roof.
Special Features of the Castle
The original tower had a walkway at the top called a parapet. This walkway was connected to the new wing by a bridge-like structure.
The first floor of the castle has a vaulted ceiling, which means it's built with arches. The other floors have been updated over the years to be more modern.
There's also a round stair tower in the corner where the two parts of the "L" meet. This tower starts round at the bottom but becomes square higher up.
You can now enter the castle through a new entrance. It has a fancy pedimented porch built in the Gothic style, which was popular for its dramatic and decorative look.
