Castle of the Day

St Andrews Castle, Fife

This castle is located right by the sea in the historic old town of Saint Andrews in Fife on the east coast of Scotland.

Founded as early as 1200 by Bishop Roger for use as his episcopal palace, it was dismantled and rebuilt many times during the Wars of Independence. It also served as a fortress and state prison. It is thought that James III may have been born here in 1451 and his father, James II, stayed here often.

The oldest part of the ruins date back to the 13th century but much of what can be seen today was built in the mid-16th century by Archbishop Hamilton. In 1645, the town was starting to dwindle and parts of the castle masonry were used to repair the harbour walls. In 1911 it was finally placed in State care and arrangements were later made to protect it from the encroaching sea. Of particular interest to visitors is the mine and counter-mine tunnelled through the rock during the 1546 siege, also the bottle dungeon in the Sea Tower.It is believed that in 1546, Cardinal David Beaton was murdered and hung naked from the walls.  St Andrews Castle is said to be haunted by at least a possible two ghosts, one is Archbishop Hamilton, who was hanged at Stirling after supporting Mary, Queen of Scots.  The other being Cardinal Beaton who is said to be seen in a phantom coach.

Haddo House

Deep in the forests of Aberdeenshire, this abandoned mansion looks like it wouldn’t be out of place in a horror film, with its amazing nineteenth century architecture left to crumble away over time. Little is known about this mysterious house, but it is believed to have stood empty for over 70 years, abandoned soon after World War One. If you follow the source link it will take you to pics from 2005 and there are more here from this year http://www.flickr.com/search/?ss=2&w=29508003%40N02&q=Forgue&m=text

“Hey! You were scanning me, weren’t you? You were trying to make my head explode, you freaked-out maniac!”

How I feel just now!!!!!

Sauchie Tower

Sauchie Tower was built between 1430 and 1440 by James Schaw, Comptroller of the King”s Works, and shares similarities with the 15th century additions to nearby Clackmannan Tower. The tower was once surrounded by a courtyard wall, a section of which can still be seen to the north. A mansion house - Old Sauchie House - was built against this wall in 1631, although it was demolished around 1930. At ground floor level is a well, and access to a cellar and dungeon below. There are three further floors above. Excavations in and around Sauchie Tower suggests that the building was still being used in some form until the mid-18th century, possibly coinciding with when it passed to the Cathcart family in 1752 as part of the marriage between Marion Schaw and Charles, the 8th Baron Cathcart. The Friends of Sauchie Tower was set up in 2002 to try to protect the tower from further decline, learn more about its history, and restore it.

Witches Stone, Forres

The sign on the stone reads “From Cluny Hill witches were rolled in stout barrels through which spikes were driven.  Where the barrels stopped they were burned with their mangled contents.  This stone marks the site of one such burning”.  What a gruesome way to die!

The real life protagonist of this play, Wojtek, was found in Syria by Polish soldiers and drafted into the military as a Private. He helped the soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps by moving ammunition, while smoking and drinking beer in his spare time. Wojtek was also a bear.

Castle View of the Day

Duffus Castle, Elgin

Duffus Castle is a mid 12th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by Hugh de Freskyn. Completed by his son William, Duffus stands on one of the major landed fiefs granted to Anglo-Norman and Flemish immigrants, by King David I. Destroyed by the Scots in 1297 during the Wars of Independence, in the 14th century it was rebuilt in stone, possibly by Sir Reginald Cheyne or the Sutherland Lord Duffus. The castle was burnt by troops under Douglas Earl of Morey in 1452, plundered by the Royalists in 1645 and abandoned in the late 17th century. Encased by a large circular outer ward and a wet ditch, an eastern ancient bridge still gives access and a cobbled causeway leads up to the site of an inner gatehouse. Crowning the motte are the remains of the 14th century three storey square hall house, with its broken north wall halfway down the slope. A wide ditch separates the large motte from the eastern oval inner bailey, which is still partly encased by a curtain wall. Within the bailey are the remains of a northern 15th century domestic range and an eastern clay and stone oven.

BAW HEID
A derogatory term suggesting that someone is arrogant or over opinionated.
Yer heid’s up yer erse baw heid.
Your head is up your bum you ball head
You are talking nonsense you unpleasant person.

Antique engraved print by Robert William Billings of Jedburgh Abbey,
King David I founded the Augustinian priory on the banks of the Jed Water in 1138 (or possibly earlier) to demonstrate to his own subjects - and to those in England - that he could create a magnificent building in the southernmost part of his kingdom. Its position, on the steeply sloping banks of the river, allowed the monks to create the huge cross-shaped plan of nave, presbytery and transepts in a prominent position while the cloister, chapter house, cellars and other accommodation could be built on lower levels - leaving the flowing arches of the nave to dominate the site.

Been there done that!! ;o)

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WWI Pilot, Bristol Fighter, RAF Crail, Scotland 1919