Tinnis Castle *

Region: Lothian & Scottish Borders

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Description:

Tinnis Castle stands (stood!) on the site of an iron age fortress and was a late medieval stronghold. On three sides was a steep drop to the valley floor and the only approach was by way of a winding path exposed to the fire of the defending archers.

It was the stronghold of the Tweedies, a formidable family, said to have been feared for their aggression and extortion towards anyone approaching their lands.

Tinnis Castle was blown up with gunpowder by Malcolm, 3rd Lord Fleming, in the 16th century, as part of a long running feud between the Flemings and Tweedies. Such was the force of the explosion that large pieces of masonry, still bound together by their cement, were hurled into the valley floor where they still lie.