Abercorn Castle
{{Short description|Castle in West Lothian, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Abercorn Castle
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| locmapin = Scotland West Lothian
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| coordinates = {{coord|55.997716|-3.472059|type:landmark|display=inline, title}}
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| location = West Lothian, Scotland
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| built = 12th century
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| demolished = 1455
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| designation1 = Scheduled Monument
| designation1_offname = Abercorn Castle, remains of
| designation1_type = Secular: castle
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| designation1_date = 27 November 1998
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| designation1_number = {{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM7869|short=yes}}
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Abercorn Castle was a 12th-century castle near Abercorn in West Lothian, Scotland.
History
The castle was in the possession of William de Avenel in the mid-12th century, before passing to the Clan Graham by marriage and was then passed to the Clan Douglas by marriage.{{cite book |last1=Coventry |first1=Martin |title=Castles of the clans : the strongholds and seats of 750 Scottish families and clans |date=2008 |publisher=Goblinshead |location=Musselburgh, Scotland |isbn=978-1899874361}}{{rp|18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/abercorn-castle/|title=Abercorn Castle (site of) | Castle in Abercorn, West Lothian | Stravaiging around Scotland|website=www.stravaiging.com}}
It was held by the Douglas family from 1400, and James Douglas, 7th Earl of Douglas died in the castle in 1443.{{Cite web|url=https://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/Places/abercorn.htm|title=Abercorn Castle|website=www.douglashistory.co.uk|publisher=The Douglas Archives}}{{cite book |last1=Coventry |first1=Martin |title=The Castles of Scotland |date=1997 |publisher=Goblinshead |location=Edinburgh |isbn=1899874100 |edition=2nd |page=47}}
On 18 April 1455, the castle was captured and destroyed by King James II of Scotland, after a siege against James Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas who had lost the support of James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton. Many of the senior members of garrison were hung and the lands passed to Clan Seton.{{Cite web|url=https://scottishcastlesassociation.com/news/news-features/siege-abercorn-castle.htm|title=Siege Abercorn Castle | Scottish Castles Association|website=scottishcastlesassociation.com}}
Parts of the castle are thought to have been re-used in the 15th or 16th century.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecastlesofscotland.co.uk/the-best-castles/other-articles/abercorn/|title=Abercorn Castle|website=www.thecastlesofscotland.co.uk|author=Martin Coventry}}
Current status
The site is now found within the grounds of Hopetoun House.{{Cite web|url=https://thecastleguy.co.uk/castle/abercorn-castle/|title=Abercorn Castle|website=The Castle Guy|author=Simon Forder}} It was excavated in 1963.
The site became a Scheduled Monument on 27 November 1998.{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM7869}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://canmore.org.uk/site/49136/abercorn-castle Abercorn Castle] Canmore entry
- [https://www.maybole.org/history/castles/abercorm_castle.htm Castle reconstruction by Andrew Spratt] (image)
- [https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/west-lothian-os-name-books-1855-1859/west-lothian-volume-02 West Lothian volume 02 | ScotlandsPlaces]
{{Castles in West Lothian}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abercorn Castle}}
Category:Castles in West Lothian