Billie Castle facts for kids
Billie Castle is the ruined remains of an old castle from the 1400s. It's located about 3 miles northwest of a place called Chirnside in the Scottish Borders, Scotland. Today, it's mostly just a few stones and a mound of earth, but it used to be a strong fortress! It was officially recognized as a special historical site in 1988.
Contents
A Look Back at Billie Castle
Early Owners and Royal Visits
The land where Billie Castle stands was first owned by a powerful family called the Dunbars. Later, in 1435, another important family, the Angus family, took over the castle.
In 1528, a famous Scottish nobleman named Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus found shelter at Billie Castle. This happened while his own castle, Tantallon Castle, was being attacked by James V of Scotland, the King. The King's attack on Tantallon wasn't successful.
Attacks and Damage
By 1540, the castle was given to the Renton family. However, it didn't stay safe for long. In May 1544, English forces led by the Earl of Hertford attacked and damaged Billie Castle. This happened after they had already burned parts of Edinburgh.
The castle was attacked again by the English a few years later. In February 1548, an English leader named Grey of Wilton sent soldiers to capture "Billie tower." Ten soldiers got off their horses and took control of the castle's outer defenses from four Scottish guards.
A King's Hunting Trip
In March 1596, King James VI of Scotland came to hunt very close to the English town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. He even stayed a night at Billie Castle, which was then owned by the 'laird' (a Scottish lord) of Billie. The King's visit made the English soldiers in Berwick-upon-Tweed a bit worried! After his stay, King James went back to Dunglass. An English official noted that the laird and lady of Billie were not at home during the King's visit.
By the 1800s, much more of the castle could still be seen, but over time, it has fallen into greater ruin.
What Billie Castle Looked Like
Strong Walls and Defenses
Billie Castle was likely a very strong, square-shaped tower, known as a quadrangular keep. It was about 50 feet long and 40 feet wide, with walls that were more than 7 feet thick! An outer wall also surrounded this main tower.
The castle sat on a raised area of land, about 135 feet by 100 feet. This area was protected by a single ditch, about 26 feet wide and 5 feet deep, on three sides. On the south side, there were two ditches. These ditches might have been filled with water using earth dams.
Inside the Castle
It's believed that the castle had three floors. You would have reached the upper floors by a narrow stone staircase located in the northwest corner. The main tower also had two round towers at its southernmost corners.
Inside the square area of the castle, there are still small pieces of what was once a tower and the gatehouse (the entrance building). Large, square blocks of red sandstone were used to build the castle.
Today, Billie Castle is mostly a mound of earth about 8 feet high. This mound covers an area of about 172 square feet.
Nearby Structures
To the east of the castle, you can find the remains of an old kiln, which was used for drying grain or making pottery. There are also traces of two other enclosed areas, each with signs of rectangular buildings.
