Binn there done that...

Continuing my short series on oddly shaped windows, this one belongs to the House of the Binns that lies a mile or so south of Blackness on the River Forth and on top of the hill that gives it its name. The house used to belong to the Dalyell family but is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland although the family retain the right to live in the house and lay claim to any treasure found on the estate. It was handed over to the NTS in 1944 along with its contents, the parkland and an endowment for its upkeep "for the benefit and enjoyment of the nation.'

The family have lived in the Binns since 1612 when the wealthy and well connected Thomas Dalyell returned from the court of James VI and I in London and, between 1621 and 1630, rebuilt the original house. His famous son, General Tam Dalyell - known to the Covenanters as 'Bloody Tam - the Muscovy Brute' continued the development of the house. Around 1810 the house was adapted to the Scottish baronial style by the architect William Burn with the addition of towers and mock battlements. Apparently some of the Gothic exterior decoration was inspired by Sir Walter Scott - a man who should have stuck to writing as far as I'm concerned.

The present occupant of the house is Sir Thomas Dalyell Loch, 11th Baronet - perhaps better known to some of you as Tam Dalyell, the Labour Party MP from 1962 until 2005 representing West Lothian and latterly Linlithgow. He published his autobiography, The Importance of Being Awkward in 2011.

No windows tomorrow - promise...