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Location
near Crichton, Midlothian, Scotland
Description
Crichton Castle is a ruined castle situated at the head of the River Tyne, near the village of Crichton in Midlothian. Crichton has four main buildings arranged around an inner courtyard. There is a 14th century tower at the east of the castle with a vaulted basement, and a vaulted hall above. The south-west corner of the tower has collapsed. A second tower was built in the early 15th century forming an L-plan, with a gate between the two towers. The south tower has vaulted cellars on either side of the entrance. Two halls occupied the first and second floors. In the later 15th century a west block was added, with a six-storey tower at the south-west, containing several bedrooms.
History
Crichton Castle was built in the late 14th century by John de Crichton as a tower house family residence. The castle was stormed and damaged in 1445 in response to Crichton's role in organizing the "Black Dinner" where the Earl of Douglas was murdered. Crichton was rebuilt and extended. In 1488, James IV granted Crichton to Patrick Hepburn, Lord Hailes. The fourth Earl, James Hepburn was, in February 1567, implicated in the murder of Queen Mary's husband Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, and became Mary's third husband in May of that year. In 1956, the castle was given into state care by its owner, Major Henry Callander of Prestonhall. It is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument administered by Historic Scotland.
The Arts
Crichton Castle was used as a location in the 1995 film Rob Roy
Legends
To the south of the castle is a building that is said to be haunted by the ghost of William Crichton.
Other Castles in the Area
Aberdour Castle, Fife
Barony Castle, Scottish Borders
Borthwick Castle, Lothian
Craigmillar Castle, Lothian
Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian
Dalkeith Palace, Midlothian
Dirleton Castle, Lothian
Edinburgh Castle, City of Edinburgh
Fa'side Castle, East Lothian
Fenton Tower, Lothian
Hailes Castle, Lothian
Lauriston Castle, Lothian
Liberton Tower, Lothian
Merchiston Castle, Lothian
Neidpath Castle, Scottish Borders
Newbattle Abbey, Midlothian
Tantallon Castle, East Lothian
Thirlestane Castle, Scottish Borders
Traquair House, Scottish Borders
Venlaw Castle, Scottish Borders
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