David Cook - Scottish Castles

After the Norman Conquest of 1066 feudal institutions were introduced to England, and the fortified residences of the feudal lords became an integral part of the English countryside. Later, the 12th century saw that feudal land tenure, and the castles that came with it, arrive in Scotland. Particularly important in this were the reigns of Alexander I (110724) his brother David I (112453).

The death of Alexander and Davids father, Malcolm Canmore, in 1093 had caused turmoil in Scotland and so they had sought refuge in England, where they grew up in the feudal world of the Norman court. The effect was evidently greatest on David, who returned to Scotland and began to introduce Norman retainers, feudal landholding and earth and timber castles, greatly expanding this process when he succeeded his brother as king in 1124.

Over the course of the 12th century two categories of castle were introduced into Scotland: royal castles and those built by tenants of the Crown who held their land in return for military service.

An initial depicting King David I and his grandson Malcolm IV, 1159.

The earliest stone castles were built in the mid-12th century, but it was not until the 13th century that they became common, many being constructed with curtain walls. They were built primarily as residences for their lords, but had to be available for the use of visiting monarchs. As the century progressed, the security of these castles was upgraded. Large towers were built in the angles of the curtain walls, and defensive gatehouses were added, usually consisting of pairs of massive towers with drawbridges and portcullises.

From 1296 Edward I, having already crushed Wales, exhausted his kingdoms resources in a ruthless attempt to conquer Scotland. Earning himself the title Hammer of the Scots, he captured all the castles in central and southern Scotland and garrisoned them with English cavalry who terrorised the surrounding districts into submission. He used his invincible cavalry squadrons to win great victories, including the Battle of Falkirk (1298) against the strong and courageous Scottish hero, William Wallace. Wallace was executed by Edward I in 1305, but in the following year the tenacious Robert the Bruce claimed the Scottish throne.

Edward I died in battle in 1307, leaving his great rival Bruce mismatched with his own weak and unwarlike son, Edward II. Bruce wrested control of the lowland castles from the English forces, resorting to guerrilla raids that weakened their supply lines and left their castles vulnerable to Scottish attack. His policy was then to dismantle any stronghold that might prove of strategic value to the English. In 1314 Bruce defeated Edward IIs army at Bannockburn, completing his rout of the occupying forces and achieving freedom for Scotland for his lifetime. The Anglo-Scottish wars continued intermittently and usually disastrously for the Scots for centuries, and even after the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when Scotlands new king, James VI, also became king of England, there were bitter quarrels across the border.

The seal of Robert Bruce, 1326.