Cairns Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cairns Castle |
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Cairns Castle beside Harperrig Reservoir
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 Cairns Castle
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| Coordinates | 55°49′45″N 3°27′13″W / 55.8292°N 3.4537°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 15th century |
Cairns Castle is a very old ruined castle tower, known as a keep. It was built in the 15th century, which means it's over 500 years old!
You can find this historic castle on the northern side of the Pentland Hills. It's about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) southwest of Balerno. The castle stands near the southwest end of Harperrig Reservoir in West Lothian, Scotland.
Sometimes, people might have called it Easter Cairns Castle. However, this name might also refer to another old castle in the same area.
Contents
History of Cairns Castle
Cairns Castle has a long and interesting past. It was originally owned by a family called the Cairns.
Later, the castle became part of the Clan Crichton family. This happened because a Crichton married the granddaughter of William de Carnys, who was the first owner of the castle. This marriage brought the castle into the Crichton family.
What is Cairns Castle Like?
Cairns Castle is made up of a main tower with another part, called a wing, attached to it.
Inside the Castle
- Basement: The castle has a basement with a special arched ceiling. This is called a vaulted basement.
- Ground Floor: Above the basement, on the ground floor, there was a kitchen.
- First Floor: Above the kitchen, there was a large room called a hall. This was likely used for gatherings and meals.
Getting Around the Castle
To get to all the different floors, people used a special spiral staircase. This type of staircase is called a turnpike stair. It was built in the corner where the main tower and the wing joined. The castle had at least three floors in total.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, some parts of the castle changed. For example, the fireplace in the kitchen was later turned into an entrance. There was also an entrance tower on the east side of the castle, but it is no longer standing today.
Protecting Cairns Castle
Cairns Castle is a very important historical site. Because of its history, it has been a Scheduled monument since November 30, 1981. This means it is a special place protected by law to make sure it is preserved for the future. It used to be a listed building, but that changed in 2015.
