Perched on a
promontory between the River Nethan and a minor burn, Craignethan Castle is a fascinating
yellow sandstone fortress, perhaps the last private castle of its type in Scotland. Built
between 1530-45 by Sir James Hamilton, the whole structure exhibits many unique features.
From the approach avenue one passes through the outer gate into the outer court. To the
left is a doocot tower of around 1579, to the right the Scots domestic range known as
Andrew Hay’s House, erected in 1665.
The hall takes up the ground
floor, as does the kitchen, though only a serving hatch connects them. Only part of the
hall’s vault survives, but the minstrel’s gallery remains. Above are remnants of
four chambers and a mezzanine house, with others used as a kitchen and stores. The roofed
kitchen tower may have had a first floor chapel.
Craignethan remained in
Hamilton hands (for a time Earls of Arran) until 1659 when it was Andrew Hay. The tower
was probably ruinous, hence he erected the new house. It is claimed that Craignethan was
the inspiration for ‘Tillietudlem Castle’ in Sir Walter Scott’s Old
Mortality. Mary, Queen of Scots visited a couple of times. |
