Yester Castle

The Castle of Yester belonged to the Gifford family, and was erected (according to Cosmo Innes) in 1268. This castle is situated on a high triangular promontory at the junction of the Hopes Water and a smaller burn, the banks of which are precipitous, while the site is cut off from the adjoining land on the third side by a great fosse , about 50 feet wide and 20 feet deep. The general plan of the site is thus triangular. The walls were lofty , those still remaining being about 40 feet high and 6 feet 6 inches thick. Of these the only portions now standing are the northern angle and part of the east flank , but the general plan may be traced from the ruins of the foundations. There appear to have been buildings on each side of the central courtyard, with sloping roofs resting against the curtains, the chases for which are seen in the north wall. A piscina or basin is visible in the upper floor of the west wall, with a drain to the outside. The postern door in the north wall leads to a small open piece of ground at the point of the promontory, on which there may have stood a tower or detached work for defense. The principal gateway was evidently at the south side of the enceinte, and seems to have been defended by two towers ; there is also a round arched bridge across the small burn near this point, showing that the approach to the castle was in this position. This bridge is built with carefully -dressed masonry in regular courses, and is certainly of old date.