Crichton Castle

-c.1370 (Tower House Built)

John de Crichton was granted the barony Crichton and built a massive tower house as his family residence. 

-c.1437 (William Crichton Additions)

Sir John's son, William, became an influential statesman during King James II's reign. He became Chancellor of Scotland around this time - some say the title was self-proclaimed - and was later made Sheriff of Edinburgh’s city. He quickly gained immense wealth and power and was held in the Royal Court's favour. 

Sir William used his money to make grand additions to his father's castle, creating a contemporary great hall and kitchen inside a new courtyard. 

-1440

Sir William played a part in the "Black Dinner" by inviting William Douglas, 6th Earl of Douglas, and his brother to the feast at Edinburgh Castle, where they were then murdered. Subsequently, Sir William obtained Bothwell Castle, the Douglas' Lanarkshire property.  

-1444 

Sir William was dismissed as Chancellor and outlawed. He took refuge at Edinburgh, a castle that the Douglases could not seize. Those seeking revenge looked to his now vulnerable Crichton Castle instead. 

-1445 (Castle Slighted)

In response to Sir William's role in the Douglas murders, John of Corstorphine, chief of Clan Forrester, slighted Crichton Castle, though the damage was not substantial.

-1448 (Expansions and Church Built)

Sir William resumed his position as Chancellor of Scotland, now in favour of James II, and was named the 1st Lord Crichton soon after. As one of Scotland's wealthiest Lords, William rebuilt and expanded the castle, and it is believed he also constructed a neighbouring collegiate church at this time, where priests were paid to pray for the Crichton family's salvation.

-1452 

A meeting at the castle between King James II and Sir William Douglas, the 8th Earl of Douglas, turned into a violent quarrel. The King stabbed the next Earl and threw his body out a window, with Sir William Crichton serving as a witness to the event. 

-c.1454 (Repairs)

Sir William Crichton died and passed all his wealth to his son, who then financed repairs on the castle. 

-1469 

Sir William's son suddenly died, and the next heir, also called William, gained the family inheritance. As his contribution to political melodrama, William, the 3rd Lord Crichton, had an affair with King James III's sister, Margaret Stewart.

-1483-85

William was a supporter of the Duke of Albany, Alexander Stewart, King James III's younger brother, and took part in a failed rebellion against the King. This led to William's titles being stripped from him and his lands forfeited. Soon after, Sir John Ramsay of Bothwell was given the barony Crichton by King James III. 

-1485 

Sir John Ramsay is named 1st Lord Bothwell (and also as Lord Treasurer of Scotland).

-1488 (Hepburns Obtain the Castle)

Once King James III was assassinated following the Battle of Sauchieburn, John Ramsay, fearing retaliation, was forced to flee from Scotland's new King, James IV, and ergo forfeited all his titles estates. 

Sir Patrick Hepburn, 2nd Lord Hailes, was granted Crichton and later became Earl of Bothwell; the castle stayed with the earldom henceforth.  

-1513

Sir Patrick's son, Adam, was killed during the Battle of Flodden; the castle passed to his widow, Agnes Stewart, and was later inherited by her son, another Patrick, 3rd Earl of Bothwell. 

-c.1560 (Castle Captured)

During the Scottish Reformation, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, supported Mary of Guise and ordered an assault on the castle, and the Earl of Arran besieged and captured Crichton.

-1562

The castle served as the setting for the wedding of Jean Hepburn, Patrick's daughter, and John Stewart, the illegitimate son of King James V and half-brother of Mary, Queen of Scots. The Queen stayed at Crichton for a few nights during this event. 

-1567

James, Earl of Bothwell, was involved in the murder of Queen Mary's second husband, Henry Stuart. Later that year, he became the Queen's third husband and forfeited his Bothwell titles and estates, Crichton included. 

-1568

The Bothwell estates were granted to John and Jean's son, Francis Stewart, bastard grandson of James V.

-c.1577-1594 (Sir Francis Stewart)

Circa 1577, Sir Francis married Margaret Douglas and was appointed Earl of Bothwell. He enhanced the castle in the 1580s, adding the Italianate north lodging range and remodelling Crichton into an extraordinary residence. The diamond-faceted exterior was created around this time, as was the unique stables complex with its huge, horseshoe-shaped overlight.

Francis entertained James VI and Peter Young at the castle in 1587 whilst they planned an embassy to Denmark. A few years later, however, he conspired against the King. Francis was accused of witchcraft, imprisoned, and then broke free from prison and led his own rebellion. He was later acquitted of his crimes, but a modified judgment called for his banishment, which led to another uprising. 

Following the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594, Francis had no option but to flee the country, ultimately forfeiting his estates. King James VI soon called for Crichton Castle to be destroyed, yet the order was never carried out. 

-Early 1600’s (Castle Abandoned)

Impoverished and on a quest to restore the family fortune, Francis Stewart died in Naples in 1612. His son, also named Francis, had ownership of Crichton reinstated to him; however, burdened with his father's debts, he sold the castle to the Hepburns of Humbie. From here out, the castle was left to ruin. 

-1956

Major Henry Callander, the castle's owner, gave care to Historic Environment Scotland, and Crichton Castle has been a scheduled monument ever since.