Ayton Castle, Tower house in Scottish Borders, United Kingdom
Ayton Castle is a country house and tower house in the Scottish Borders, built from red sandstone in the Scottish Baronial style of the 19th century. The grounds also contain a stable block, a restored dovecote, and a South Lodge at the entrance to the estate.
The first stronghold on this site belonged to the Home family and was taken by English forces in 1497. After a fire destroyed it in 1834, the current building was put up in its place by the new owner in the Scottish Baronial style.
The 1875 interior decorations are still in place across many of the rooms, with stenciled patterns designed to look like silk damask. These details give a clear sense of how wealthy Scottish households chose to furnish and decorate their homes in that era.
The castle is open only through guided tours arranged in advance, so it is worth contacting the estate before planning your visit. Access to the grounds and outbuildings is also part of the tour, giving a good sense of the full property.
During a visit in 1873, the writer Mark Twain bought the fireplace mantel from the dining room and had it shipped to his home in Connecticut. That same mantel can still be seen today at the Mark Twain House and Museum there.
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