Fatlips Castle, Tower house on Minto Crags, Scottish Borders, United Kingdom.
Fatlips Castle is a four-story tower house that rises from Minto Crags in the Scottish Borders, dominating the landscape with its solid rectangular form. The building measures roughly 8 meters north to south and about 10 meters east to west, sitting prominently on high ground.
The Turnbull family built the initial tower in the late 1300s after receiving the barony of Minto from King David II. This foundation established it as a defensive stronghold in the borderlands region.
The name comes from a custom where male visitors could kiss women upon arrival at the building. This tradition shaped how people used and remembered this place over time.
The site sits on elevated ground with open access, though facilities nearby are limited. Visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and variable weather conditions common in the borderlands.
The structure used a bonfire signaling system to communicate danger alerts across the River Teviot to nearby Bedrule Castle. This primitive communication network linked multiple strongholds across the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
