Scottish Relics: Craignethan Castle

The Castle Keep

Craignethan Castle in Lanarkshire was built around 1530.

 It overlooks the River Nethan and a great gorge. 

Lots of tunnels and corridors to explore here.

The River Nethan from a lookout on short hike from the castle. 

Magical Hawthorn in Bloom

On the hike below the castle

Scottish Relics: Crichton Castle

"That castle rises on the steep

Of the green vale of Tyne;

And far beneath, where slow they creep

From pool to eddy, dark and deep,

Where alders moist and willows weep

You hear her streams repine."

- description of Crichton Castle in1808 

by Sir Walter Scott from Marmion

Crichton Castle rising from the banks of the Tyne below. Built around 1400 by John Crichton. This castle is unbelievably picturesque and grand. Cared for by Historic Environment Scotland and on their Members Pass, about 40 minutes from Edinburgh and well worth a visit.

It was the very end of May when we visited but the May Tree, hawthorn, was at her splendid height of bloom as you can see. The castle overlooks this incredibly lush river valley, a strategic outpost with near 360 degree views and would have held control of the river. 

Unique diamond faceted façade added in 1580 by Francis Stewart - inspired by journeys to Italy.

Inside of the Grand Stables

The Grand Stables

The Gatehouse

Crichton Collegiate Church - Built in 1449 by William Crichton, Chancellor and one of the most powerful people in Scotland at the time.

Back From Beyond

Huntingtower Castle, Perth, Scotland

Just back from an epic ramble across Scotland, in full bloom, under sunny clear blue skies, walking ramparts of bygone eras, through ancient woodlands. I'll be sharing more here soon. 

My Favorite Places

It would probably be impossible to pick my favorite place in Ireland, but picking my favorite places, that I can do. Let me share some places on the Emerald Isle that have won my heart. 

Dunluce Castle sits perched on the North coast of Antrim in Northern Ireland. I've been here twice and have a personal connection with this wild & dramatic castle ruin. You can read more about my experiences HERE.

Cahir Castle, in County Tipperary, is one of my favorite castles. It is the perfect combination of ruin & restoration. Situated on a river with gorgeous grounds, this castle takes my mind right to the Middle Ages. It has been restored in a manner that retains this ambience, without filling it up with antiques and décor that I generally find distracting.

Glendalough Monastic Ruins and Forest combine two or Ireland's best attributes -stunning scenery and incredible history. This place is pure magic. The forest glows under a blanket of moss, a waterfall cascades down the mountain side, pristine valley lake whisper of the history they have seen. And at the base of the mountain and through out the forest, the ruins of a century monastery beckon your exploration. I could return here time and time again. Learn more and see more photos of my journeys into Glendalough HERE.

Dublin, of course, with its cobbled lanes, cathedrals, pubs, and history. My favorite thing about Dublin is its walkability. We nearly always explore Dublin on foot for there is so much to marvel at and always something new. Its lack the intensity and overwhelming size and busy-ness of larger European cities without losing any charm. 

Tollymore Forest Park is one of the most lovely woodlands I've encountered in Ireland. Beautiful, whimsical, and kind of a hidden gem. Architectural follies dot the forest and evoke magic of another era. Explore with me HERE.

Castle Winner !

Congratulations Judy H ! You are the winner of the Castle Giveaway. Please contact me directly as soon as you can at emeraldpostoffice@gmail.com with the photo of your choice from the Castle Posts (include from which post as well as caption if you can) as well as a mailing address so that I can dispatch your prizes soon. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left comments. As a consolation prize, use the coupon code FORTRESS15 in the Emerald Post Shop to get 15% off anything on the shelves, including some castle inspired creations. 

Cahir Castle, Ireland

Anatomy of a Castle: The Castle Keep

Keep in the center of Blackness Castle, Scotland

Within the castle walls you will find the Castle Keep. The Keep is a heavily fortified central tower serving as the last defense of the castle. This might also be called a donjon, especially academically, though donjon is not to be confused with dungeon, they are different things altogether. If the enemies have breached the castle walls and gotten past the gatehouse to the inner bailey - everyone would be in the castle keep, and they would try as they may to defend it. It was the last stronghold. 

The Keep at Trim Castle, Ireland

View of Castle Keep at Chepstow Castle, Wales

Strategically situated on a Cliffside on the River Wye

Keep & Great Hall at Caerphilly Castle, Wales

Depending on the date of the castle, some keeps were central towers, giants rising from within the inner bailey. Later, some were built so that one side of the keep was part of the castle walls. Most often, the Great Hall would be found near the bottom of the keep and the living quarters at the top. 

Keep of Carrickfergus Castle, Ireland

Keep of Ross Castle, Ireland

Round Keep of Pembroke Castle, Wales

Interior (looking up) of Round Keep at Pemrboke

Though in its day, there would have been several floors to this tower 

and a staircase to reach them all. Now it is home to a million pigeons and doves

whose cooing was amplified magnificently. 

Anatomy of a Castle: Fortress Block Print

Fortress Block Print $11

This hand carved and hand pressed Fortress Block Print was featured in the Castle Edition of Emerald Post. You can still get one in the July Issue of Emerald Post HERE or the Fortress Print individually HERE. This is no particular one castle but a concoction of many that I've visited. You can see many parts of the castle here: castle walls, a drawbridge, gatehouse, a portcullis, arrow loops, and the castle keep. You can have your castle printed on black, ivory, or and old page from The Death of King Arthur. The Anatomy of a Castle Series will continued tomorrow so keep the comments coming to enter the giveaway!

July Castle Edition - $15

The July Editions of Emerald Post contains a 5x7 Notecard & Envelope featuring Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland, the 5x7 Fortress Block Print, and 5 Polaroid inspired photos nestled into a tiny envelope.

Anatomy of a Castle: The Inner Bailey

Raglan Castle, Wales

Once inside the gatehouse, you are in the castle bailey, or courtyard. The bailey is the open space within castle walls, often populated with grand buildings like the castle Keep or Great Hall and smaller structures like stables, the blacksmith's shop, a well or cistern, and usually a garden. Think of the castle environment as a small village- it must have everything for daily living like food, water, transportation, etc. Access to all of these things were most likely in the castle bailey, safe within the protection of the castle walls. This was especially important if you were to find yourself surrounded by enemies, unable to leave the castle walls. Visiting a castle now, the bailey is usually just a wide open green space populated with visitors, but imagine a small bustling village there. It is hard to capture these large spaces within a photo but think of your favorite medieval film or television series.... they have surely illustrated these scenes of life within the castle walls.

Caerphilly Castle, Wales

Cheptstow Castle, Wales

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Pembroke Castle, Wales

The large map was originally a royal tennis/croquet court

Pembroke Castle, Wales

Caernarfon Castle, Wales

Caernarfon Castle, Wales

Anatomy of a Castle: The Gatehouse

Gatehouse at Kidwelly Castle, Wales

Cross the drawbridge and you'll likely find yourself staring up at the gatehouse, the front door of the castle and arguably the strongest part of the castle.  Flanked, usually, by two enormous towers, peppered with arrow loops, and a slew of armed guards. The gatehouse might sometimes be referred to as a barbican, which is defined as a defensive tower, usually a double tower, of a castle or walled city, often above a gate or drawbridge.

Bridge over moat and Grand Gatehouse of Caerphilly Castle, Wales

Gatehouse of Carrickfergus Castle, Northern Ireland

Gatehouse at Pembroke Castle, Wales

Barbican & Gatehouse at Harlech Castle, Wales

Gatehouse at Caernarfon Castle, Wales

The tunnel through the gate is often extremely thick, supporting several doors or gates, usually including a portcullis. A portcullis is a heavy gate or grill, usually made of metal, which could be raised and lowered with pulleys inside the gatehouse. If lowered at the right time, the portcullis could be a weapon in its own right, impaling or crushing enemies. Two doors lowered in concert could also trap enemies. From within the gatehouse, soldiers could shoot arrows through arrow loops as well as make use of the murder hole. A murder hole is a gap, situated inside the doorway, above where people enter, through which boiling water, hot oil, and rocks might have been heaved upon unsuspecting enemies.

Gate and Portcullis at Cahir Castle, Ireland

Ruined Gate at Rock of Dunamase, Ireland