Venlaw Castle, Peebles

The site was originally a 14th-century fortification, founded by the Hay family. The original house was built on the site of the old Smithfield Castle in 1732 by a Sherrif Stevenson, and bought 50 years later by a Major Erskine. It is a typical baronial mansion with extensive grounds.

While waiting to have my number plate reaffixed at the garage - I ran walked purposefully up the steep slope to have a look.