#eddleston

[scotianostra]

Eddleston Kirk by Pete Birrell

Although the Kirk here dates from 1897, having replaced an earlier one after a fire, the bell is one of the oldest in the country and was cast in 1507. 

[benvironment]

Today was one of those 'let's meet half way' type things with a southern friend, which meant finding something to do near Peebles.

First up, a visit to the Mapa Scotland....or the Polish Map (which is nothing to do with making things shiny) followed by a really decent lunch at the very friendly The Horseshoe Inn in Eddleston. 🙂

I arrived in Eddleston a bit early so went for a random explore in the car up a lovely winding hill road...and inadvertently discovered a couple of enticing wee hills. I readily admit, I'd never heard of the Meldons before but I chalked them in for a return visit....erm.....after lunch ;-)

All in all a lovely afternoon in the Borders, under blue skies and a warm sun. Almost enough to make me forget winter. Almost ;-)

[quo-usque-tandem]

Eddleston, Scotland

[friedaquilter]

203/2020 #skyscape2020 #eddleston #skyscape (at Barony Castle Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/CC6BnsOgqAG/?igshid=12ncqja6w1ptr

[themovingpavement]

Eddleston, 2019

[landscape-lunacy]

Eddleston, Scotland - by Martin Covey

[lahilden]

Barony Castle

Barony Castle Hotel is located in Eddleston, in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. The castle is also known as the Black Barony, Blackbarony, and Darnhall. A tower house was built upon this site in the early 15thcentury when John Murray, Laird of Blackbarony was granted the estate and his title by King James IV. After his death, his son Andrew inherited the estate and title. Andrew had the Scottish baronial style castle built on the site of the old tower house. The castle’s French (Jacobean) façade was added in the 18thcentury. By the 19thcentury, plans were drawn up to for a new mansion, but it was never built. Instead the castle was repaired and altered around 1847. A north section was added in 1855 to add more bedrooms, and the house was further enlarged in 1887. The property passed to the Murrays of Elibank in 1771, who held ownership until 1926. The castle was converted into a hotel at that time and a ballroom was added in 1933. The castle served as a station for Polish soldiers until the end of WWII. Thereafter it returned to a hotel under the new ownership of Polish war veteran, Jan Tomasik. Tomasik had the three-dimension, outdoor concrete scale model of Scotland added to the property. The Mercure Group, part of Accor Hotels, currently operates the hotel. Barony Castle is three stories tall with four-story square towers set on 25 acres of mature gardens and woodlands. The grounds boast 19thcentury stables, an 18thcentury icehouse, and a Yew Tree walk. The hotel has 78 bedrooms, 14 meeting rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a health and fitness suite with an indoor pool, sauna, spa, and gymnasium.