Cranshaws Castle

Cranshaws Castle, Berwickshire
Photo © Lisa Jarvis, 26 March 2006

An old old peel tower, the stronghold of the Douglas family. Said to be haunted by a brownie (invisible goblin)

CRANSHAWS CASTLE, BERWICKSHIRE.

A well-preserved pele tower of the Fourth Period, standing amongst the Lammermoors, about nine miles north-west from Dunse. It measures 40 feet by 26 feet, and is rounded on the angles. The original entrance doorway has been on the west side adjoining the wheel-stair, which runs to the roof. The pele is five stories high and has originally contained the cellars or stores on the ground floor (which is not vaulted). Above this is an entresol, which may have been the kitchen. The hall occupied the second floor, and bedrooms the two upper stories.

From the way in which the staircase wall breaks into the interior, the small space adjoining naturally formed a separate room on each floor. The interior is now cut up with partitions, as shown.

The parapet, which is 46 feet from the ground, is well preserved. It has a simple row of corbels and bold gargoyles, but is without angle bartizans. The parapet walk is clear all round for defence. Cranshaws formerly belonged to the Douglases, and is now the seat of Lord Aberdour, the eldest son of the Earl of Morton.

The panel with arms, is in the interior of the church of Cranshaws. It is said that James VI., when attending the service there, observed that the clergyman omitted to pray for the Royal Family. The king therefore sent this carving of the royal arms that it might be erected in face of the pulpit, so as to remind the clergyman of his duty to the Crown. -- The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland by David Macgibbon and Thomas Ross 1889