📌 Denholm, Scottish Borders
★★
Fantastically-christened Fatlips Castle sits atop Minto Craigs a few miles from the peaceful Borders village of Denholm, Teviotdale, and about a mile from the nearest road. Built in the 1500s by the Turnbull family of Border reivers (raiders), the tower was beautifully restored from a poor state in 2013. And the name? Theories range from a goat called Fatlips which bleated loudly at the sight of approaching English forces, to the castle occupants’ fondness for kissing visiting guests, and several other stories in between. Access to the interior is not possible at the time of update in 2024, but the setting is reason enough for a visit – with fantastic views along Teviotdale, north to the Eildon Hills and southeast to the English border. In previous years, you could also pick up the front door key and explore inside, where all four (floorless) storeys) and 56 feet are connected by a spiral staircase extending all the way up to the parapet walk.
🌍 Location
📌 On top of Minto Craigs, 2 mi east of Denholm
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 582209
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.479984,-2.662802
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Space to park on track just off minor road at 🧭 NT 585207 / 🛰️ 55.478603,-2.658066
📝 Key info
⌚ Exterior always viewable. Currently no interior access – in the past, a key was available from an address in Denholm village
🎫 Free – previously £5 to collect key for interior
💬 From the parking spot it’s a 30-min walk (each way) to the castle (⬤ Moderate). Follow the track uphill until a junction; here, take the wide path ahead, bending right and continuing to ascend. Remain in the trees as it curves back left, always taking the highest option until you reach the castle on top of the crags.
