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Bedrule Castle

 

There are some slight remains of the castle of Bedrule, the baronial seat of the Turnbulls, consisting chiefly of the foundations of the ancient buildings, on the right bank of the Rule; and on the opposite side of the river are vestiges of outworks formerly connected with that stronghold; the site commands an extensive prospect.

 

Sir John Cumyn owned the Barony of Bethocroul (Bedrule) till a.d. 1280, when he conveyed part of it to the Bishop of Glasgow. " The Good " Sir James Douglas received it in 1325 ; in 1342 it passed to the First Earl of Douglas. Archibald, Lord of Galloway, held it in 1389. The Earl of Traquair held it with " Edyarstoun," and Rutherfurd of that Ilk had it in 1482.

 

The castle had once been held by the Comyns, but in the early 14th century it was granted by King Robert I to Sir James of Douglas and the Douglases installed the Turnbulls as tenants who continued in heritable possession until about the end of the 18th century.

 

Location: NT598180

 

Bedrule Church

 

'On an ancient site, the church was rebuilt in 1804 and 1877 and again rebuilt beautifully in 1914 by T Greenshields Leadbetter as a cruciform church with a tower over the main west entrance. The church has a plaque commemorating Bishop Turnbull, founder of Glasgow University in 1451. Stained glass, including Guild centenary window 1992 and windows by Douglas Strachan 1922. There is a Memorial with interesting links to wartime ‘Enigma’ decoding project commemorating Francis Anthony Blair Fasson . There are fine views over Rule Valley to Ruberslaw.'

The church is at the end of a row of cottages with a turning circle for parking. There is a first floor with seating to supplement the nave. The churchyard contains several very old gravestones with interesting motifs.

 

There are several wall plaques depicting the arms of local families.

 

 

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