On the weekend we visited Midhope Fort, aka Lallybroch to the Outlander followers on the market.
Regardless of being positioned simply 20 minutes from the place we stay, this was our first time visiting the citadel.
Situated on the Hopetoun Property (residence to a different historic constructing, Hopetoun Home), Midhope was comparatively unknown earlier than the phenomenon that’s Outlander selected the citadel to play the a part of Jamie Fraser’s highland residence.
The journey to Lallybroch
A military of tall Scots pines hugged the facet of the highway that led to the citadel. We stored a cautious eye out for pheasants crossing the highway (throughout this time of yr, there are lots of about). Their blue and bronze feathers mirrored the sunshine of the solar, standing solo within the sky, free from cloud cowl.
We get a couple of sudden blasts of heat throughout April, I’ve come to study. The one purpose I listen is as a result of it’s my birthday month, and I grew up celebrating my birthday throughout atrocious climate in autumnal New Zealand.
Whilst you can’t go contained in the citadel (it’s derelict and the outside is basically a shell) you possibly can stroll across the grounds exterior, and take a couple of images (full Outlander regalia non-compulsory).
The true historical past of Midhope Fort
Midhope Fort was constructed within the fifteenth century by John Martyne. Little is thought about him, however after his loss of life in 1478 the citadel was inherited by Henry Levingstone. The proximity of the citadel to Linlithgow signifies that Henry Livingston could have been associated to the Lords of Livingston (later the Earls of Linlithgow).
Probably the most attention-grabbing examples of the citadel’s historical past is the carving on the gate that reads ‘AD 1587 MB’. This reveals when the citadel got here into possession by Alexander Drummond and Majorie Bruce.
Within the seventeenth century the citadel fell into the arms of the Earls of Linlithgow, and in a while to John Hope of Hopetoun.
In 1851, there have been 53 folks residing at Midhope, together with 4 gamekeepers, 4 foresters, 2 labourers, a groom, a carter, a gardener, a joiner, and a variety of paupers.
Planning your go to
Location: Abercorn, West Lothian (35 minutes from Edinburgh metropolis centre)
Value: £5 per grownup (when bought on-line, £6 per grownup when bought on the citadel).
Methods to get there: By automobile, taxi or tour (public transport choices are restricted)
