Cairns Castle

Coordinates: 55°49′45″N 3°27′13″W / 55.8292°N 3.4537°W / 55.8292; -3.4537

Cairns Castle

Cairns Castle beside Harperrig Reservoir
Cairns Castle
Coordinates 55°49′45″N 3°27′13″W / 55.8292°N 3.4537°W / 55.8292; -3.4537
Site history
Built 15th century

Cairns Castle is a ruined keep, dating from the 15th century, around 6.5 miles (10.5 km) south west of Balerno, at the south west end of Harperrig Reservoir, in West Lothian, Scotland.[1]

It may have also been known as Easter Cairns Castle, but this may refer to another castle in the area.[1]

History

This was originally a property of the Crichtons, built for George Crichton, Earl of Caithness, Lord High Admiral of Scotland, but passed to the Tennants from 1542 to 1708.[2]

Structure

The castle has an adjoining wing. It has a vaulted basement, a kitchen on the ground floor, and a Hall above. All floors were reached by a turnpike stair in the corner between the main block and the wing.[1] There were at least three storeys. The kitchen fireplace was converted into an entrance. The entrance tower to the east no longer exists.[3]

It has been a Scheduled Monument since 30 November 1981.[4] It was a category B listed building until it was de-listed in 2015.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Coventry Martin (1997) The Castles of Scotland. Goblinshead. ISBN 1 899874 10 0 p97
  2. ↑ "Cairns Castle". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
  3. ↑ "Cairns Castle". Retrieved 2014-09-17.
  4. ↑ "Cairns Castle SM1193".
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