Publication Account

Date 1980

Event ID 1018217

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Publication Account

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1018217

References to a castle at Selkirk predates the accession of David I in 1124. It occurs in the c.1120 foundation charter to Selkirk Abbey. The castle served as a royal residence until the reign of Alexander Ill, and was undoubtedly constructed of earth and timber (RCAM, 1957, 23). Although Selkirk castle was not mentioned in the list of twenty-three surrendered to John Baliol by Edward I in 1292, it was in Scottish possession until the summer of 1301, when it was captured by the English (Barrow, 1965, 171). The English strengthened the stronghold by the addition of a pele (RCAM, 1957, 23) and stonework (CDS, ii, 1324) and from that position were able to maintain a good 'watching brief' on events in Galloway. Edward II at one time mounted operations against Bruce from the Castle and in 1309 the commander, Aymer de Valence, received orders 'to provision the castle of Selkirk with men and victuals with all expedition against the king's enemies and rebles' (Craig-Brown, 1886, ii,12). After the defeat of the Scots at Hailidon Hill in 1333, Selkirk Castle was once again in English hands.

All that now remains of the Castle and Edwardian pele is a much reduced earthwork, which is located in the grounds of a Georgian mansion on the outskirts of Selkirk (RCAM, 1957, 23). The mound is about 238 feet by 185 feet and is about 40 feet high, except at the north end, where a round motte rises 16 feet 6 inches higher. On the north and east a ditch may be seen although it is much overgrown, and this probably extended to the loch on the south; it averages 40 feet in width by 3 feet in depth. On the west side of the mound there is trace of a ditch but it has been much interfered with (RCAM, 1957, 47).

Information from ‘Historic Selkirk: The Archaeological Implications of Development’ (1980).