Carberry Tower

Today’s blip is of nearby Carberry Tower, which is now a posh hotel.

The lands on which Carberry Tower stands were first mentioned in the 11th century when King David I of Scotland granted "Caerbairin" (Carberry) to the monks of Dunfermline Abbey.

After much to-ing and fro-ing over the years, more recently, William Elphinstone, the 15th Lord Elphinstone, who succeeded to the estate in 1851, carried out extensive redesign of the estate and house. His son, Sidney, married Mary Bowes Lyon (sister of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother) and together they carried out more redesign. It was Mary who bequeathed the estate to the Church of Scotland upon her death in 1961. The church then sold it off and following a number of owners, it has now become a prestige hotel.

I always find it interesting to find out the extensive history that many of the grand houses in the UK have and how they ended up as they are nowadays. I understand that non residents can book the restaurant and that the afternoon teas are quite something. 

Have a good Monday all.