Drummelzier Castle

Drummelzier Castle, situated in the Scottish Borders, played a significant role in the early history of the Tweedie family. Originating from the times when surnames were adopted based on geographical locations, the Tweedie family is believed to have assumed their surname from the River Tweed, near which Drummelzier Castle is located. The castle was one of many fortifications along the Tweed, serving as a stronghold for the family and as a defense in the lawless days of Border feuds and forays. It became an inheritance through marriage with an heiress, suggesting a lineage that dates back to the Norman Conquest of England around 1066. Historical records indicate that the area around Drummelzier was part of the extensive lands belonging to the Episcopal See of Glasgow, with connections to the family as early as the 12th century. The castle and its lands were involved in significant historical documents, including the “Inquisitio per David princepem Cumbrensem” and the “Divise de Stobo”, highlighting its importance in the region’s ecclesiastical and feudal history. The document “Divise de Stobo” specifically mentions “Gylis filius Buht aput Drumedler”, linking the castle directly to the Tweedie lineage. Over time, Drummelzier Castle, like many Border fortifications, became a ruinous symbol of the turbulent history of the Scottish Borders. Its story is intertwined with the larger narrative of Scottish feudalism, border conflicts, and the gradual merging of Celtic, Saxon, and Norman cultures. The castle’s historical significance is preserved through its connections to the Tweedie family, contributing to the rich tapestry of Scotland’s borderlands heritage.