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There yonder aged
castle rears Its frame that, once, had princely been, And, reckess of the rage of years, In state surmounts the Poets Green. Here, erst, its hospitable lord,
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The late Lord and Lady Moncreiff
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ClickFor Map of the area
TheCastle is just to the east of Drum
From the front
Tullibole Castle is a good example of a laird's house of the early 17th
century, built on the 'palace' plan. It is still occupied,
and a wing has lately been added on the N side. The original houseconsisted
of an oblong main block lying E-W, the
eastern part having three storeys and the western four, with a wingprojecting
on the S side. A heraldic panel indicates that part of it wasbuilt by John
Halliday in 1608. However, there was probably a much earlierhouse on thesite,
there being in the
Record Office in London letters patent to Edward I dated from 'Tullibothville'
in 1304. In the same year, a memorandum
states that Edward I had intended to build a castle at Tullibothville,but
could find no suitable site. Charter evidence shows
that in 1490, Tulliebole belonged to the Heringfamily (there is also recorded in 1482 a
bond with the name ofJamesHering of Tulliboll), passing to the Hallidays in the 16th century. It passed to the
Moncrieffs about 1740.
Tullibole Castle, still in the possession of the Moncrieff family, isgenerally
as described previously. In 1956 considerable
internal restoration was carried out and the exterior harled and whitewashed.
Bottom of the Main Stair
The Great Hall
The Kitchen
Things
The Dovecote (1715)
A ghost story
In ancient times, the Kings of Scotland had frequent occasion to passfrom
their palace at Stirling, to their palace at Falkland; and sometimestooktheir
route by the way of Tulliebole. One of the King James, traditiondoes
not say which of them, being to pass that way, was askedby the familyof
Tulliebole to dine. The invitation was accepted. HisMajesty's
retinue being numerous, and the castle of Tullibole not beingsufficientlycommodious
for the whole company, a tent was erected on apiece of plain ground,neara
small rivulet. The entertainment wasso very agreeable to theKing,that
he conferred the honour of Knighthoodon his host that very day. Amongst
the King's attendants, was a troopermuch celebrated for his abilityin drinking
intoxicating liquors. Among the laird of Tulliebole's vassals,therewas
one named Keltie, (aname still common in the barony), equally renownedfor
the same kind ofdangerous pre-eminence. The trooper and he hadheard
of each other; and each was desirous to try the strength of theother.
They hadno opportunity while the King was there; but theyagreed tomeetearly
on a Monday morning, soon after, on the same spot wherethe Kinghaddined.
It is not said what kind of liquor they made useof; butthey drank
it from what are here called quaffs, a small woodenvessel,whichholds about
half an English pint. They continued to drink,till theWednesday evening,
when the trooper fell from his seat, seeminglyasleep. Keltie, took
another quaff, after the fall of his friend,toshow that he wasthe conqueror;
and this gave rise to a proverb,wellknown over all thecountry, Keltie's
Mends; and nothing is morecommon,at this very day,when one refuses
to take his glass, than to bethreatenedwith, Keltie's Mends. Keltie
dropped from his seat afterwards,and fellasleep. But when heawakened,
he found his companion dead. Hewas buried in the same place,and as
it is near a small poolof water,itstill retains the name of "the Trooper's
Dubb." Theanecdoteshouldserve as a warning againstthe criminal and
preposterous follywhichoccasionedit. Some of thepeople are still credulous
enough toimagine,that thetrooper is still seensometimes sitting on the spot; andin
the night,would rather go a mileout of their way, and pass by theTrooper'sDubb. The
road leading bythis place, still retains thename of the CourtGate,or Court
Way.
Family Tree (UnderConstruction)
The Lost Deeds of Tulliebole Castle
Q. Can Moncreiffs visit Tullebole Castle?
A. Yes. By appointment. But only if Lord Moncreiff is given as muchadvanced
notice as possible.
Email
A Note on the Funeral of Sir John Halliday 1619
Ane Note or Memorandom of Forme of the founerall of Sir John
Healladay of Tilleboll Advocat who dyed at Tilleboll upon the ....
day of .... and was beiried at the Kirk ther, and was caried from
heis Castle there to the said kirk upon Mun-day the 8 March, 1619:
being Convoyed with many Noble Honourable and Worship-full Persones:
All marching upon foote to the said Kirk.
Item Their went before all cled in long dule gounes 39 Poor ones
caryind every on of them on a Stage, and his armes on the one syde
and his name I.S H. on the other syd painted upon black buokrum and
going before all the rest carying on a black Stages end; and the
gumpheon whilk is a morts head painted upon 3 Quarters of black
bukerum, pon[or u]idered (or degented with tears) & those words
Memento Mori.
Next went John Hing carying the Gumpheon of Honour whichwas3
quartres of tefety with the mort-head one on the same on each syde
with the words Memento Mori.
Then followed John Oliphant carying the Pinsill whichhis
Crest a
Boares-head, argent Couped upon a Pinon or Long Peace of blew tefety
of [two] 2 ells and a « long.
Next to him followed ......... carying his Armes upon3 Quarters
of blew tefety square-wayes.
Then followed his 4 Branches.
Then came Eliazer Makeson and Walter Ritchie Pursevantswithther
Coates Displayed. - Next to them Followed Thomas Drysdaill, Hay
Herald.
Then followed the Corps in a Coffen caried on foot, byhis
Honourable freinds covered with a very faire mortcloath of black
velvet and 8 pair of his Armes upon the syds of the same, his Eldest
sone was at his head and his freinds accompanying him in Dule &
murning apparall and efter he was bringit furth of his Castel he was
caried from the same just west and then north and at last east to the
kirk whilk was in all also meikle as the bounes of a myle, & a«
hour
efter came into the kirk & was sett doune upon 2 stools befor the
pulpete till a Litle prety sermone was made by [the] ordinary
Preacher there And efter the sermoune the said Corps was intered in
the east end of the said Kirk with the sound of a Trumpet And with
God send a joyfull Resurection "
pp. 26 & 27.