Archaeology Notes

Event ID 711433

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/711433

NT26SE 13.00 28620 63677

(NT 2862 6367) Hawthornden Castle (NR) (Remains of)

OS 6" map (1957).

NT26SE 13.01 NT 2863 6364 Walled garden

NT26SE 13.02 NT 28985 63613 Lodge

NT26SE 13.03 NT 28650 63665 Fountainhead

See also NT26SE 12 and NT26SE 16.

Hawthornden Castle occupies a strong position on a triangular promontory. The structure, as it now stands, is composed of a ruinous 15th century tower, to the N of which is attached an early 17th century house on the traditional L-plan. The old tower, ashlar-built and measuring c. 30' x 26', which has contained at least 3 storeys, is only a broken shell, with the remains of other buildings stretching to the W. The later house, which has been largely modernised and heightened, is of harled rubble, three storeys and a garret in height. A panel bearing a Latin inscription, near the doorway into the wing, which is dated 1795, states that the house was restored in 1638 by William Drummond, the poet.

(For associated well and caves, see NT26SE 12 and NT26SE 16 ).

D MacGibbon and T Ross 1892; RCAHMS 1929, visited 1920; N Tranter 1962.

This castle is generally as described in previous information.

Visited by OS (SFS), 31 October 1975.