Midhope Castle

The original castle was built in the mid 15th Century. In 1478 it passed to the Livingstone family. The doorway and lintel were built for George Livingstone, third Earl of Linlithgow. He came into the title in 1646 and kept it until his death in 1690. After the Restoration he was made a member of the Privy Council and led government forces against the Covenanters.

In 1678 the castle was acquired by John Hope who incorporated it into the Hopetoun Estate. He enlarged the castle and that gave it its present appearance.  The old building was used to house estate workers, gamekeepers, foresters, labourers, a groom, carter, gardener, joiner and a number of paupers. The 1851 census recalls that 53 people in 10 families were living at Midhope.

In 1926 the Estate subdivided the castle to provide more, up to date accommodation. By the 1950's the building was derelict. It now has a roof but is otherwise, an empty shell.

The doocot dates from 1695. It is inscribed with the initials J L, standing for James, fourth Earl of Linlithgow. He backed the loosing side in the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion fighting at the Battle of Sheriffmuir and lost his titles and estates.