Hailes Castle History
Hailes Castle stands on a rock above the River
Tyne, and its oldest parts date from the 13th century.
This is the central tower, built of red sandstone, with the
curtain wall to the east of this, and the stairway down to the well.
The tower contains a pit prison but was altered in later years
to form a dovecote, the nesting boxes of which still survive. Some are carved from solid
stones.
The western tower was added in the late 14th century, as was the
rebuilt south curtain wall. This tower has a vaulted basement and pit prison.
Living quarters formerly existed above. In the 15th century a
new block was added between the two towers. Its lower floor was vaulted and contained a
bakehouse with oven and bread trough.
The upper floor was a chapel with aumbry and piscina. A postern
leads out to the riverbank. Only the foundations survive of the east range.
The Dunbars, who were Earls of the March, probably built Hailes.
The Hepburns added the west tower. In 1567 ownership passed to the Stewarts, followed by the
Serons.
It was destroyed in 1650 by Cromwell’s troops and remained in
ruins thereafter, though it was used as a granary for a time. The Earl of Balfour passed the
building into state care in 1926.
Hailes Castle Map&Location
Hailes Castle Address: Haddington, East Lothian EH41 4PY, UK.
Get help with directions using the map provied bellow:
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