Newcastleton, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Hermitage Castle
Hermitage Castle
Hermitage Castle was supposedly built by one Nicholas de Soulis around 1240, in a typical Norman Motte and Bailey pattern. It stayed in his family until approximately 1320, when his descendant, William de Soulis forfeited it because of suspected witchcraft and the attempted regicide of King Robert I of Scotland. Hermitage Castle is now under the care of Historic Scotland. The castle has a reputation as one of the most sinister and atmospheric in Scotland.
The castle is reputedly haunted by the ghost of William de Soulis and the sobbing of the children whom he kidnapped as part of his dabbling in the black arts. Also, the groans of one Sir Alexander Ramsey, who was imprisoned here in 1338, have been reported. Finally, the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots is also said to occasionally appear here.
Hermitage Castle,
Newcastleton,
Roxburghshire,
TD9 0LU.
For further information, please read:
Britain's Haunted Heritage by J.A. Brooks, Haunted Britain by Antony D. Hippisley Coxe, Haunted Britain by Richard Jones, Haunted Britain and Ireland by Richard Jones, Haunted Castles of Britain and Ireland by Richard Jones, Haunted Scottish Castles and Houses by G. Stewart and Scottish Ghosts by E. Ashley Rooney.
Location
Visitor Information
Newcastleton, or Copshaw Holm, is a village in the Scottish Borders, Scotland.
It lies a few miles from the border of Scotland with England.
Pictured is Hermitage Castle courtesy of Jonathan Oldenbuck. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
