Shittleheugh Bastle

Shittleheugh Bastle is a well-preserved 16th-century, Grade II listed example of a fortified two-story farmhouse.

Shittleheugh Bastle was constructed during a period of frequent border conflicts and raids carried out by the much-feared Border Reivers.

The Border Reivers plagued the area between Scotland and England during the 16th and 17th centuries.  As a result, many landowners felt the need to fortify their homes to protect themselves, their families, and their livestock.  A bastle therefore became a common type of residence found in the dangerous border region. 

A bastle served as a secure, fire-resistant home during the period of these conflicts.

Built on a west-facing slope with extensive views of Redesdale, Shittleheugh Bastle gave its inhabitants somewhere safe to retreat when trouble was spotted on the horizon.

Shittleheugh Bastle features 1.2 m thick walls made from stone.  The bastle is notable for its high-status, superior design; it is thought that it possibly included an attic and a porch.  It measures around 13 m by 6.5 m. 

The gables of Shittleheugh Bastle still stand to their full height, and although the building is now without its roof or internal floors, it stands as a testament to the tumultuous history of the region and the defensive measures taken by its inhabitants.