Barony Castle

Having a three day Hotel break in the Barony Castle, near Peebles in the Scottish Borders. There has been a building in the grounds since the early 15th century but didn't acquire its Jacobean style until until 1709.

In early years, it was in the hands of the Murray family and there is an interesting story concerning them. Apparently the family had a falling out with the folk in the Parish Church in Peebles so they withdrew and built their own chapel in the grounds of the Castle. They would not let anyone from Peebles join their worship and even carved the words 'Prepare to meet thy God' above the main door. A little bit scary if you are not living right. You can see a photo here.

During the second World War the Castle was used as a Training Centre for Polish Staff Officers. One of the soldiers later bought the Hotel and decided to build a concrete contour map of Scotland in the grounds. It is in the process of being restored and is thought to be the largest map of its kind in the world. The full story can be found here and is well worth a visit.

More recently the Castle was the Scottish Ambulance College but was converted into the present Hotel in 2011.