55°49′45″N3°27′13″W/ 55.8292°N 3.4537°W
| Cairns Castle | |
|---|---|
 Cairns Castle beside Harperrig Reservoir | |
  Cairns Castle | |
| Coordinates | 55°49′45″N3°27′13″W/ 55.8292°N 3.4537°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 15th century |
Cairns Castleis a ruinedkeep,dating from the 15th century. It is located on the northern slope of thePentland Hills,around 6.5 miles (10.5 km) south west ofBalerno,at the south west end ofHarperrig Reservoir,inWest 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
editTheCrichtonsinherited the castle through marriage of the heiress of the castle who was the granddaughter ofWilliam de Carnysthe original owner.[citation needed]
Structure
editThe 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 aturnpike stairin 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.[2]
It has been aScheduled Monumentsince 30 November 1981.[3]It was a category B listed building until it was de-listed in 2015.
References
edit- ^abcCoventry Martin (1997)The Castles of Scotland.Goblinshead.ISBN1 899874 10 0p97
- ^Historic Environment Scotland."Cairns Castle (49093)".Canmore.Retrieved15 February2019.
- ^Historic Environment Scotland."Cairns Castle (SM1193)".Retrieved15 February2019.