The Ferry Tap and Black Castle, South Queensferry
by Yvonne Johnstone
Title
The Ferry Tap and Black Castle, South Queensferry
Artist
Yvonne Johnstone
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The Ferry Tap, 36 High Street is a Free House with no Brewery ties.
The building was erected in 1683 states the plaque on the wall and was originally a house. When it became an ‘Inn’ is unknown as there is no mention of it in the early census information for Queensferry. The first information found is in the 1881 census, when, as a hotel, it was named the ‘Prince of Wales’ until pre March 1890. When the future King Edward VII opened the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge in March 1890, the hotel's name was changed to ‘The Forth Bridge Hotel’. Further name changes followed with the various proprietors.
The foreground black building is known as the Black Castle, a category 'A' listed building, is the oldest dwelling house in South Queensferry, situated at East Terrace on Queensferry High Street. Not actually a castle, it may have been given this name in the early 1640's during the 'Witch Hunts', which had a profound effect on the family there, or in the mid 19th century when it was the home of a Coal Merchant.
It was built by William Lowrie, a Mariner and Explorer, in 1626, a three story building, now harled (in the 1960's) and painted black with the date 1626 on the facade, it would originally have been sandstone in colour. The upper floor has 3 windows with carved and scrolled detail. The carved stone pediments above the dormer windows bear the date 1626 and the initials W.L and M.S, those of William Lowrie and his wife Marion Speddie.
Uploaded
May 19th, 2019
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