Duns Castle

Duns Castle, Duns, Berwickshire is a historic house in Scotland, the oldest part of which, the massive Norman Keep or Pele Tower, supposedly dates from 1320. The castle and most of the structures on the property are designated as a scheduled ancient monument.[1]

Duns Castle

History

The early history of the building is virtually unknown. A keep was built on the lands granted to Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray by King Robert the Bruce in 1320. That structure may have been razed by the English in the 16th century[1], possibly during the Rough Wooing in 1545 when the nearby town of Duns was burned to the ground,[2], as that the part of the building claimed to date from that time has been assessed as dating from the 15th – 16th century by architectural historians.[3]

The manor and its castle appear to have passed into the hands of Patrick V, Earl of March after Randolph's death in 1332. After the Battle of Halidon Hill the following year the manor was granted by King Edward II of England to Thomas de Bradestan. There were multiple changes of ownership afterwards.[4]

During the First Bishops' War of 1639, the castle housed General Alexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Leven.[3] His army was quartered nearby and blocked the English from advancing into Scotland. Neither side wished to fight and negotiations began that led to the Pacification of Berwick that ended the war. In 1670 Sir James Cockburn of Cockburn bought the estate and burgh of Duns from Hume of Ayton.[2] The manor was sold to William Hay of Drummelzier, son of John Hay, 1st Marquess of Tweeddale in 1698 and it has remained in the family ever since.[4]

The original keep is claimed to have been incorporated into the building as it was expanded into a L-shaped structure at an unknown date. It was remodeled shortly its acquisition and again in 1791–1798 by the architect John Baxter. The house was transformed into a Gothic castle, 1818–1822, by architect James Gillespie Graham. The interior woodwork was carved by the noted sculptor, Sir John Steell, during his apprenticeship.[3]

There is a publicly accessible park and two man-made lakes, the Hen Poo and the smaller Mill Dam that form the Duns Castle nature reserve.[5]

The castle and its outbuildings are currently available to serve as a venue for weddings and corporate functions, with accommodations available for the guests.[6]

Haunting

Alexander Hay, who was killed at the Battle of Waterloo, reputedly haunts the castle.[7]

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "Duns Castle, with Screen Walls and Sundial (LB4108)". Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  2. Groome, II, p. 447
  3. "Duns Castle". CANMORE. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  4. "Duns Castle". www.dunsehistorysociety.co.uk. Dunse History Society. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  5. Scottish Wildlife Trust Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. "Castle Accommodation and Estate Cottages". Duns Castle. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  7. "Haunted Scottish Castles". Rampantscotland.com. 8 November 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2011.

Bibliography
  • Groome, F.H., Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical, Biographical, and Historical, VI vols, Edinburgh, 1884.


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