A track from
Crichton Church leads south to Crichton Castle, which is a large and impressive structure
perched above the Tyne. The oldest part, the tower on the east front, was erected by John
Crichton in 1400, and was vaulted. A prison was located on the lower floor. His son,
Chancellor Crichton, added a fine range to the south, and created a new entrance pend,
vaulted stores, and a new hall above.
Externally the castle is noted
for its oriel window, corbel courses, turrets, arches and large corbels. Just south of the
castle is the old stable block, with its horse shoe window a distinctive feature. The
buttresses are additions, making it look like a chapel, for which it has been mistaken in
the past.
Crichton was the seat of the
Crichton of that Ilk until 1483. James IV gave Sir Patrick Hepburn the barony, along with
the earldom of Bothwell. Mary, Queen of Scots attended a wedding here in 1562. The Earldom
passed to the Stewarts, as did the castle, until around 1650. In 1926 Henry Burns
Callander placed the castle into care. |
