June 1st - 5th
Edinburgh, Scotland
The History of Wedderburn Castle
Wedderburn is assumed to take its name from the ‘Wedder Burn’, a small stream that flows through the castle grounds. The first member of Clan Wedderburn to appear on record in Scotland was Walter de Wedderburn, who appears on the Ragman Rolls, signed at Berwick Castle in 1296. The lands of Clan Wedderburn passed in 1413 to Sir David Home. At this time the castle was a simple tower around which the structure you see today was built. A white stone plaque from this date can be seen in the present courtyard and it is thought that the haha (ditch to stop cattle and sheep) surrounding the castle may follow the line of the original palisade.
The Homes of Wedderburn had the tragic distinction of seeing every first son die either in battle or as a prisoner of the English from 1413 to 1576, a time when life in the border country was often short and brutal. Sir David's grandson and the eldest of his seven sons, Sir George both died at the battle of Flodden Field in 1513 and may be buried in the burial ground here. Walter Scott famously tells the tale of the 'Seven spears of Wedderburn' in The Lay of Last Minstrel.
The union of the Scottish and English crowns under James in 1603 began the long path to the Act of Union in 1707. This brought an unfamiliar calm to the borders. Landed families could concentrate their revenues on building grand houses without concern for fortification and engage in the rapid intellectual developments now known as the Scottish Enlightenment.
The present building of Wedderburn Castle was started in 1771 by Ninian's son Patrick Home (1728 to 1808, 13th Baron of Wedderburn), who left his nephew George to oversee the building works. Robert and James Adam were commissioned as architects and Wedderburn is now recognised as one of their earliest and most perfect castle designs.
During construction Patrick undertook a grand tour of the continent and sent back a large number of works of art and outstanding chimney-pieces. The only significant alterations made since that time are the addition of the port cochere and the creation of the two storey stair hall, probably to a design by James Gillespie-Graham in 1820. The old castle was pulled down to create the courtyard. The stair and the balustrade are identical in some respects to those found at Paxton House and at Milne Graden, the house of Admiral Sir David Milne (1763 to 1845), a very great friend of George Home and also a distant cousin. On George Home's death the estates of Wedderburn, Paxton and Billie passed to his aunt Jean, and subsequently through a female line to the present day.
Formal Dinner Menu Selections
Menu Selections
From the menu below, please choose one starter, one entree, and one dessert. Email your selections to TheRoyal50th@gmail.com
Starters
Selection 1 - Starter
A) Selection of different cheese, cured meats, fruit, olives, stuffed peppers, dips, chutney, oils, sundried tomatoes, bread & crackers
B) Roasted pear, walnut and blue cheese salad with balsamic glaze
Entrees
Selection 2 - Entrees
A) Lemon dill and fennel stuffed butterflied sea bass served with fondant potato and chef's vegetables
B) Roast sirloin of beef with a homemade yorkshire pudding, minted new potatoes, roast potato, and selection of seasonal vegetables
Desserts
Selection 3 - Dessert
A) Dark chocolate truffle tort served with chocolate flakes and chocolate Mascarpone cream
B) Cheesecake (selection of flavors)
Group Chat
Whatsapp Group Chat
There will be a group chat on Whatsapp during the trip. If you would like to be included in the chat, Send your phone number in email to TheRoyal50th@gmail.com and I will add it to the group. (Cody, appropriate messages only)