Castles of Clan Baillie

Lamington Tower
Lamington Tower, located in South Lanarkshire near Biggar, was the ancestral seat of the Baillies of Lamington, the chiefly line of Clan Baillie. Built in the 16th century, the tower overlooked the Clyde Valley and served as the family’s main residence for generations. It was famously associated with Mary, Queen of Scots, who is said to have visited the tower in 1565. Though dismantled in the 18th century, the remains of the thick-walled structure and vaulted basement can still be seen. Lamington remains the most historically significant site tied to the clan’s leadership.

Dochfour House
Dochfour House, near Inverness, is the ancestral seat of the Baillies of Dochfour, a northern branch of the clan descended from the Lamington line. The original castle on the site was burned during the Jacobite Rising of 1745 and replaced by the present Georgian mansion. The estate has remained in Baillie hands since 1452 and is still owned by the family today. The house sits on the banks of Loch Dochfour and is a listed heritage property. It reflects the clan’s successful establishment in the Highlands.

Castlecary Castle
Castlecary Castle, near Cumbernauld, came into the Baillie family in the early 17th century. Originally built in the 15th century, it was torched in 1645 following General William Baillie’s defeat at Kilsyth and again during the Jacobite Rising in 1715. The castle was rebuilt and expanded, incorporating stones from the nearby Roman Antonine Wall. A ghost legend and tales of Mary, Queen of Scots’ visit add to its folklore. It survives today as a restored private residence.

Jerviswood House
Jerviswood House, near Lanark, was purchased by George Baillie in the 17th century and became the seat of the Baillies of Jerviswood. The fortified L-plan house was associated with Robert Baillie, a Covenanter executed in 1684. The family later moved to Mellerstain House. The house was restored in the 20th century and remains a fine example of a laird’s fortified dwelling. Its cliffside position above the Mouse Water made it easily defensible.

Mellerstain House
Mellerstain House in Berwickshire became the principal Baillie residence in the 18th century. Originally a ruinous peel tower, the site was developed into a grand Adam-designed mansion by George Baillie and his descendants. The house passed by marriage into the Baillie-Hamilton family, who became Earls of Haddington. It is still owned by the family and open to the public. The estate features extensive gardens and a renowned art collection.

Provan Hall
Provan Hall in Glasgow was the residence of Sir William Baillie in the late 16th century. The fortified manor, with its thick walls and vaulted chambers, is among Scotland’s best-preserved medieval townhouses. The Baillies enlarged the property during their tenure and left their name on its history. Today, Provan Hall is managed as a heritage site and museum. It remains a rare urban example of Baillie architectural heritage.

Redcastle
Redcastle, on the Black Isle, came into Baillie hands in 1838 when Colonel Hugh Duncan Baillie of Dochfour purchased the estate. Originally a medieval castle held by the Mackenzies, it was remodeled in the 1840s under architect William Burn. The house was later abandoned and is now a picturesque ruin. Its name comes from the red sandstone used in its construction. It reflects the Baillie family’s expansion into the northern Highlands.

Castles Loosely Associated with Clan Baillie

Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle was never owned by the Baillies, but Sir Alexander Baillie of Dunain served as its Constable in the mid-15th century. A son of the Lamington line, he was rewarded with lands for his service to the Crown. His position helped establish the Baillie presence in the Highlands. While the original medieval castle is gone, the modern courthouse occupies the same commanding site. It marked the beginning of the Dochfour branch’s rise.

Leys Castle
Leys Castle, near Inverness, was built in the 1830s by Colonel John Baillie of Dunain, MP, as a statement of wealth and status. Designed in the Gothic Revival style, it was not a defensive structure but a romantic estate. The house is surrounded by woodlands planted by Baillie and reflects the family’s prosperity. Though not medieval, it symbolizes the clan’s continued presence in the Highlands. Leys Castle remains privately owned.

Castlehill Tower
Castlehill Tower, near Peebles, was briefly held by the Baillies of Jerviswood in the 17th century. The rectangular tower had thick walls and vaulted chambers typical of a Borders peel tower. The site was later sold and fell into ruin. A small portion of the tower still stands on a rise above the Manor Water. Its ownership by the Baillies marks the clan’s spread into Tweeddale.

Torwood Castle
Torwood Castle near Denny was built in the 1560s and briefly held by a Baillie cadet branch in the early 1600s. Though their tenure was short, the Baillies likely added to or maintained the castle during a period of unrest. Today, the castle is roofless but structurally sound and undergoing restoration. It includes a large hall and surviving corbelled turret. The Baillie connection reflects their involvement in central Scotland’s turbulent politics.

References

Coventry, M. (2010). The Castles of Scotland (5th ed.). Musselburgh: Goblinshead.
Tabraham, C. (2005). Scotland’s Castles. London: Batsford.
Historic Environment Scotland. (n.d.). Castle Records and Listings.
Simpson, W. D. (1931). Scottish Castles: An Introduction to the Castles of Scotland. Edinburgh: HMSO.
Scottish Civic Trust. (n.d.). Jerviswood House Restoration Report.
Fraser, G. (1971). The Baillies of Dochfour and Their Estates. Inverness: Highland Historical Society.