Cranshaws Castle

Cranshaws Castle

Cranshaws Castle
Coordinates 55°50′54″N 2°30′34″W / 55.8484°N 2.5094°WCoordinates: 55°50′54″N 2°30′34″W / 55.8484°N 2.5094°W
Listed Building – Category A
Designated 9 June 1971
Reference no. 4093
Location in the Scottish Borders

Cranshaws Castle or Cranshaws Tower is a privately owned 15th-century pele situated by the village of Cranshaws in Berwickshire, Scotland. The building is still in use as a residence, and is protected as a category A listed building.[1]

History

Originally part of the territory of the Earldom of Dunbar and March, Cranshaws became the property of Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas (1372–1424). Douglas in turn bestowed it upon Sir John Swinton, 14th of that Ilk in 1401.[2] Following Swinton's death at the Battle of Homildon Hill the following year, the lands passed to his son Sir John Swinton, 15th of that Ilk, who it is supposed built the original castle.

The castle was reacquired by another branch of the Douglas family, the Earls of Morton in the 18th century, and there were extensive renovations carried out by George Douglas, 13th Earl of Morton (1662–1738).

Construction

A rectangular keep, the castle has four storeys and rounded corners. The castle originally would have had a defensive barmkin of which there is no remnant. Its crenellated parapet is thought to have been built in the late 19th century when the castle had been sold on by the Mortons.

Literature and folklore

Cranshaws Castle is thought to be the inspiration for "Ravenswood Castle", the home of Edgar, hero of Sir Walter Scott's tragedy the Bride of Lammermoor.[3] It is also supposed to be inhabited by a Brownie.[4]

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Cranshaws Castle: Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  2. ↑ Fraser, vol i p.364
  3. ↑ Groome, vol i p.260
  4. ↑ Coventry, p.133

Sources