The following information has been added
by the owner of this property:
Faside Castle is perhaps best known for its association with the Battle of Pinkie (1547) when the Duke of Somerset commanded the English from a position beside the castle, where he also placed his ordnance. A most interesting account of the battle, and the efforts of the inhabitants of Faside, is given by W. Patten, (who was present as an eye witness), in ‘The Expedicion into Scotlande’, printed in 1548. He gives sketches of the progress of the battle, the final one showing the castle in flames.
The previous history of Faside however contains a wealth of interest. The name, Fawside is first recorded during the reign of David I (1124-1153) when William de Ffauside sat in the Scottish Parliament, but the earliest record relating to the lands of Fawside, found so far, is a charter dated 1189 between the Monks of Newbattle and Saier de Quency. Since that time Fawside has passed through several families including the Fawsides, the de Quencys and the Setons amongst others.
The name Fawside, with its various spellings, Ffauside, Fauxside, Fawsyde, Falside, Fa’side etc., occurs in a variety of charters, deeds, statements and documents of other kinds. It is supposed, however, that Robert de Quency built a castle at Fawside in the 12th century. Its defensive situation would probably have been a scene of habitation from very early times and certainly the existing tower is not of an earlier date than the 14th century. The de Quencys, along with other Norman families, came from Normandy with William the Conqueror. Four charters in the 12th and 13th centuries still survive in the National Library of Scotland and concern agreements made with the Monks of Newbattle; one of them is the first Scottish document dealing directly with coal.
Associated with Faside is the first recorded mining of coal in Scotland in the 13th century. As a result of arson at Fa’side mine, the Act of 1606 was passed which returned miners to a state of virtual slavery. Coal continued to play an important part in the life of the inhabitants of the castle and in 1620 the Government reacted to a case of ‘price fixing’ brought about by Lady Fawside and other local mine owners. Local feuds are recorded in which the Fawsides were involved but the major battle with which they were associated was the Battle of Pinkie (1547). This was the last battle to be fought between Scotland and England as separate nations. After the battle the English set fire to the castle.
Faside Castle is not referred to in the window tax records between 1748 and 1798 thus suggesting that the castle was uninhabited during this time.
The castle remained uninhabited and was twice threatened with demolition. The farmer at St. Clement’s Wells Farm, whose land Fa’side Castle stands on, approached East Lothian Council for permission to raze it to the ground, as the castle was a magnet for children and he was unwilling to be responsible for any accident. East Lothian Council Planning Authority granted permission for demolition. This prompted a local outcry and the demolition did not proceed. A few years later, the farmer again approached East Lothian Council for permission to demolish and after this second grant of permission Nigel Tranter, the author, and Bill Caird, former Provost of Musselburgh, headed a group dedicated to making the castle ruins safe and set about finding someone willing to take on the huge task of restoration.
Tom Craig, an engineer from Loanhead - who used to run past the castle when he was a schoolboy at Loretto - and his wife, Claire, purchased Faside and one hectare of land in 1976. After many years of hard work on the part of the Craigs, the nearly restored castle was sold to Jamie and Charmie Douglas in the late 1980s. Following a car accident which made it difficult for Mrs. Douglas to manage the stairs the Douglas family sold it in 1989 to Ian and Sue Brash, who still live in it with their family.
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At the top of the 14th century old tower lies a vaulted bedroom suite ideal for a romantic get-away. The steep spiral staircase leads up past a glass walkway over the old dungeon to a roof top walkway with panoramic views. Why not enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the roof walk on a nice sunny morning? The bedroom suite had an ensuite bathroom with stand-alone bath. The bed is an enormous 7 foot wide ‘Emperor’ bed. In the suite is a tv with dvd player, microwave, mini-fridge, kettle and toaster.
Guests staying in the Tower Vaults also have exclusive use of the finest room in the castle – the Great Hall. This magnificent old room has an original stone built fireplace with a log-burning stove, perfect for winter evenings. Beside the window there are stone window seats built into the thick castle walls. In the corner of the room are what remains of the now inaccessible old staircase. Up on the ceiling are some of the original corbels from when the castle was destroyed by fire after the Battle of Pinkie. Behind the tartan curtain is an original toilet called the “Laird’s Lug” where the Lairds could listen to their prisoners down in the dungeon below.
A continental breakfast is provided for guests to enjoy in the bedroom suite at their leisure. Tower Vaults is serviced accommodation.
Notes on price:
Price based on a couple for one night
please contact us for any other dates
Accommodation
T
Type
Description
Bedrooms:
1 Bedroom with an enormous 7 foot wide ‘Emperor’ bed.
Bathrooms:
The bedroom suite had an ensuite bathroom with stand-alone bath.
Kitchen:
microwave, mini-fridge, kettle and toaster.
Living Rooms:
TV with dvd player.
Cleaning/towels/linen/maid Service:
Linen and towels provided.
Other:
Guests staying in the Tower Vaults also have exclusive use of the finest room in the castle – the Great Hall. This magnificent old room has an original stone built fireplace with a log-burning stove, perfect for winter evenings.
Sleeping capacity:
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2
Ammenities/Facilities provided
microwave
fridge/freezer
television
dvd player
Etc.
Travel
From Edinburgh head east on the A1 towards Berwick – upon – Tweed. About 9 miles east of the city centre follow the signs to Wallyford and Dalkeith (A6094).
At the top of the sliproad turn right, signposted Whitecraig. Two hundred yards after crossing the carriageway turn left onto a minor country road which has no signpost. Fa’side is about 1.5 miles up this road.
Distances
Fa'side Estate is only 10 miles from Edinburgh which allows for easy access to this beautiful city.
Further details
Edinburgh boasts a wide variety of museums, historic houses, art galleries, concert halls; it is essentially an arts city full of culture. The Edinburgh International Festival is the finest festival of music, art and drama in the world and is a major attraction during the summer when an impressive Military Tattoo is also held in the evenings at Edinburgh Castle. In addition to the official Festival, there is the Fringe Festival which caters for the avant-garde with hundreds of university and college groups performing new works. Jazz, film, book and folk festivals are usually held through the summer when the city definitely takes on a festive air.
Golf
In and around Edinburgh there are many excellent golf courses within easy reach of Fa'side. Muirfield is about 8 miles away; the Musselburgh Links (9 holes), which Fa'side overlooks, was used for some of the very earliest championships.
Accessibility
Outside
Within the shared grounds there is almost an acre of woodland a quarter of a century old and a small woodland pond. There is a shared barbeque area and picnic bench for enjoyable summer afternoons and evenings.
