Hermitage Castle Scottish Borders

The Hermitage Castle is situated  in Liddlesdale in the Scottish Borders.

Hermitage Castle

 



Hermitage Castle Liddlesdale Scottish Borders



The Hermitage Castle occupied a key strategic position in the Scottish Borders and was fought over many times by the English and Scottish.

 

 

The original Castle was built on earthworks in the 1240's, this being developed 120 years later with the commencement of the present stone building.





Hermitage Castle Liddesdale Scottish Borders

In the 16th Century the Hermitage was adapted to counter the threat posed by gun powdered artillery by the construction of earthworks  (a Ravelin) in front of the castle and gun holes punched through the thick castle walls

The practice of the time was to lay siege to a castle and fire cannon at the base of the walls with the intention to weaken and then ccreate a breach. The Ravelin would help prevent this.





Hermitage Castle Liddesdale

Hermitage Castle Liddesdale selfie



Hermitage Castle Liddesdale old entrance


In 1603 when James IV of Scotland also became James I of England, the Hermitage lost it's strategic interest, it was abandoned.