In about 1770 Sir Francis Blake (1708-80), an amateur architect and inventor decided to create his own Gothick mansion at Twizel. Adapting an old medieval fortified tower, he was assisted by James Nesbit of Kelso. Sir Francis died with the structure incomplete, but his son Francis (1738-1818) resolved to finish the project.

Twizel Castle before it was partially demolished

In 1812 he brought in the architect George Wyatt to help, but the costs spiraled and pursued by creditors he sought sanctuary in Hollyrood Abbey. Ironically forty years earlier he had published pamphlets about how the nation should manage its debts.

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