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Hawthornden

Cave(S) (Medieval), Dovecot(S) (Medieval)

Site Name Hawthornden

Classification Cave(S) (Medieval), Dovecot(S) (Medieval)

Alternative Name(s) Hawthornden Castle Policies

Canmore ID 51805

Site Number NT26SE 16

NGR NT 2862 6367

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/51805

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Midlothian
  • Parish Lasswade
  • Former Region Lothian
  • Former District Midlothian
  • Former County Midlothian

Archaeology Notes

NT26SE 16 2862 6367.

In the cliffs beneath Hawthornden Castle (NT26SE 13 - at NT 2862 6367) are numerous caves and passages carved out of the solid rock. They are traditionally associated with Robert the Bruce and the War of Independence. Three are known as the King's Gallery, the King's Dining room and the King's Bedchamber. Two caves are described, planned and illustrated by Coles (1911). (See also NT26SE 12).

As well as describing the two caves noted by Coles, the RCAHMS note a third in the rock walling the terrace NE of the tower. This was a habitation as it contains a fireplace, windows, seats and cupboards; RG 1736 and WMD 1716 are incised on the walls.

It is claimed by some archaeologists that these caves were originally a fort (sic) in Pictish days (N Tranter 1962).

RCAHMS 1929, visited 1920

These caves are generally as described. Their entrances are now sealed up.

Visited by OS (SFS) 31 October 1975

Well is entrance to caves.

(Undated) information in NMRS.

Activities

Field Visit (16 June 1920)

THE CAVES.

On the west, beyond the main block, a look-out or balcony is formed in the rock, and from this there was, according to Pennant's statement, a stair to the famous caves below. These are entered to-day from a doorway in the south side situated just below the south walling. From this a gallery, 7 feet wide and 6 feet high, runs westwards a distance of 82 feet to the face of the precipice. A second gallery lies to the south, passes over the well, and joins the first at the western end. At the junction there is an ascent of 9 steps, and from the higher level a chamber opens to the right or north, and a second, roughly L-shaped, to the south; the latter has nests for pigeons excavated in the rock walls, and beneath it lies a second pigeon-house, in which the nests are built in stone. From the well-shaft a gallery has been driven a little above water -level through the rock southwards and opens to the exterior. In the rock which walls the terrace north-east of the tower another chamber has been excavated. This manifestly was a habitation, for it contains a fireplace, windows, seats and cupboards; on the walls are incised R. G. 1736 and W. M. D. 1716. A very complete description of the caves is given in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot., xlv (1910-11), p. 278. In the Scotichronicon (lib. xiii, cap. xlviii) it is told how in 1341 Alexander de Ramsay made himself a fortress (municipium) in the cave of Hawthornden (in cavea de Hauthorndane), having with him a select band of kindred spirits, who, from this refuge, made frequent raids on the English border. Almost every young man of noble birth thought it necessary for his reputation to attach himself to this training school (schola militice).

RCAHMS 1929, visited 16 June 1920.

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