Bavelaw Castle, Category A listed castle in City of Edinburgh, Scotland
Bavelaw Castle is a tower house with an L-shaped plan located at the northern edge of the Pentland Hills in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. A circular tower marks the northeastern corner, and the walls are built from rough stone in a style typical of Scottish tower houses.
The Dundas family built the original structure in the 16th century, after which the property passed to the Forresters of Niddry and later to the Mowbrays of Barnbougle. Each transfer reflected shifts in power and land ownership among Scottish noble families.
A room on the first floor is known as Queen Mary's Room, named after Mary, Queen of Scots, who reportedly visited the castle. The layout of the interior still gives a sense of how Scottish noble families of the 16th century arranged their daily lives.
The castle sits in the Pentland Hills, reached by unpaved paths that cross hilly ground, so sturdy footwear is advisable. Weather in this area changes quickly, and visitors should come prepared for wind and rain at any time of year.
Around 1900, architect Robert Lorimer connected former outbuildings to the main structure and added a new turret, changing the overall shape of the building. He also replaced several narrow openings with larger windows, so much of what visitors see today reflects his work rather than the original medieval form.
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