Publication Account
Date 1985
Event ID 1016187
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Publication Account
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1016187
Crichton is one of two castles commanding the Middleton Gap and the route south to the Gala Water. Borthwick (NT 369597), on the Gore Water, is still inhabited and remains an outstandingly complete, large 15th century tower-house with two wings and the remains of a curtain wall; Crichton, on the Tyne, is an equally interesting example of a late 14th century tower, probably built by John de Crichton but subsequently extended and enveloped. The central, protruding section of the east wall is the east wall of the tower; the south and west courtyard sections were added in the 15th century; the present northern range dates from 1581-91.
From without, Crichton is a stark and forbidding shell standing on a projecting terrace sharply above the still marshy river-side haugh. Internally, the original towerhouse, some 14m by 11m, had a high pointed barrel vault to the first-floor hall. There is a mezzanine floor; also a small prison (2m by 2.6m) entered through a tiny entrance but 0.6 m broad by 0.8m high and once secured by a strong, heavily-barred door. It is the facing wall of the later north range, however, that provides a most remarkable contrast to the bleak exterior. For this wall, with its large, rectangular, precisely-positioned windows, is ornamented in a way virtually unique in Scotland. Above an arcade of seven bays (and an extra 'return' bay on the West side), a distinctive diamond rustication covers the surface of the stone. Such embellishment reflects Continental Renaissance architecture, influenced more specifically here perhaps by Italian palaces of the period. It was commissioned by the 5th Earl of Both well (nephew of Mary, Queen of Scots' consort), who returned from Italy in 1581.
Bothwell also built the nearby stable, one of numerous ancillary buildings once standing on the plateau to the south. The actual stable was below, entered through a horseshoe-shaped arch decorated with a 'thong' patterning. Its vaulted roof set up stresses that later required external buttressing. Above was the hayloft, maybe heightened and made habitable, with crowstepped gables.
Crichton Village has an interesting church to St Mary and St Kentigern, restored in 1896 but parish church by decree in 1661 (NT 380616). Formerly collegiate (see section 6), it is cruciform, aisleless and unnelvaulted, with a barely evident nave. There are three iron headstones in the churchyard, the first dated 1841 to George Douglas of the Broughton foundry in Edinburgh.
Information from 'Exploring Scotland's Heritage: Lothian and Borders', (1985).
