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Please note that the coordinates for this cache have changed as of the 3rd of March 2009!
The cache has been moved because the first one was muggled. I have hidden it in a relatively muggle free area. Stealth must still be used, however, as some people do like to stray away from the main path to the castle.
These days, there are fewer and fewer places in the world where the influence of modern man is not obvious. You would hardly expect to find one of these places within 15 miles of Edinburgh’s city centre. But such a place can be found 2 miles east of Gorebridge. As you walk along the public path to Crichton Castle, you realise that this section of the River Tyne valley is empty except for the castle looming up ahead of you, and its church behind you. Nothing built by man in the past 500 years can be seen in this area. Crichton Castle’s isolation is a good enough reason to visit, but as it happens, there are others.
Crichton Castle is built around a large square courtyard dominated by a rectangular tower house that was most likely built by John de Crichton in the late 14th century. A gatehouse was added in 1440 by William Crichton, who was John de Crichton’s son. He was involved with the Black Bull’s Dinner at Edinburgh Castle.
James II was only 6 when he was crowned in 1437. Archibald, 5th Earl of Douglas, head of the powerful Black Douglases, was appointed regent. When he died two years later, Sir Alexander Livingstone and Sir William de Crichton fought to take the place of the Douglases. They invited the new Earl of Douglas to dine with his brother and a friend at Edinburgh Castle. At the end of the meal, the head of a black bull was brought to the table. At this sign, all three men were murdered. After this, William de Crichton became Lord Chancellor of Scotland, and he virtually ruled Scotland during the early years of James II’s reign.
William de Crichton also built the Collegiate Church about 500 yards east of the castle, as a place where daily orisons could be sung for the welfare of his soul (which he dearly needed, in my humble opinion). You will pass this church on your way in to the car park for the castle.
The Crichton family lost the castle when William de Crichton’s son (also called William) conspired against James III. Crichton Castle was besieged, and William was forced to flee. The castle and lands were eventually given to Patrick Hepburn, who became Lord Bothwell.
From the 10th through the 12th of January 1562, Mary Queen of Scots was a guest here at the marriage of her half brother, Lord James Stewart to Lady Janet Hepburn. This had been arranged at Crichton by James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, who was to become Queen Mary’s future husband.
On Queen Mary and Bothwell’s downfall in 1567, James VI gave Crichton to Francis, the child of James Stewart and Janet Hepburn, who had been married at Crichton only a short time before! In honour of the family, James VI conferred upon Francis the title of Bothwell.
The new Earl of Bothwell was wild and dangerous, as described below:
"a terror to the most desperate duellists of Europe, and a subduer of the proudest champions, both Turks and Christians... the gasconades of France, the rhodomontades of Spain, the fanfaronades of Italy and braggadocio brags of all other countries"
Francis’ frequent travels abroad brought him into contact with the European Renaissance. About the time of 1585, he renovated Crichton Castle in a stylish and up-to-date manner.
New kitchens, living quarters, colonnades, dining rooms and withdrawing rooms were built, as well as a very modern straight stairway with landings. To the south, he built a stable that many people mistake for a chapel! Above the stable doorways, one can still discern horseshoe shapes built into the stonework for luck. All of this can be seen today, and they make this one of the most singular of Scottish Castles.
Right, enough of the history lesson...
If you wish to tour the inside of the castle, it is best to check admission times and prices at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail.htm?propertyID=PL_076.
I hope that you enjoy this place as much as I do.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va n sbexrq naq ubyybj gerr