Fast Castle

Fast Castle, located in Berwickshire, Scotland, is a ruined coastal fortress that stands as a testament to the rich history of the Scottish Borders. This Scheduled Ancient Monument is a must-visit for anyone interested in the country’s past, and this post will take you through its fascinating history, architecture, and significance.

A Brief History Fast Castle’s exact origins are unknown, but it is believed to have been occupied since the Iron Age, owing to its defensible position. The castle is first recorded in 1333, and it was later occupied by an English garrison in 1346, who used it as a base for raiding the surrounding countryside. The castle changed hands several times throughout its history, from the Scots to the English and vice versa, and saw many battles and power struggles. In 1503, Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII of England, was hosted by the Home family, the castle’s then-owners, on her way to her marriage to James IV. However, the castle was destroyed in the chaos that followed Scotland’s defeat at the Battle of Flodden in 1515 and was later rebuilt by 1522.

The castle was once again seized by the English during the “Rough Wooing” of Scotland, but was eventually back in Scottish hands. It passed to Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig, who was implicated in the Gowrie conspiracy to kidnap King James VI, and he contracted with the famous mathematician John Napier to search the castle for treasure. The castle then changed hands several times, from the Douglas family to the Earls of Dunbar and the Hall family, and was in ruins by the time it was accessible from Dowlaw farm. Between 1971 and 1986, excavations were carried out at Fast Castle by the Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society.

The Architecture Fast Castle comprised a courtyard and keep built on a narrow, sloping plateau, surrounded by cliffs up to 45 meters high, which made the castle almost impregnable. The plateau was surrounded by a curtain wall with towers, and the keep was at the northern end of the promontory. Access to the castle was via a drawbridge over a narrow ravine, protected by a barbican, and the sea was accessible through a pulley system with a basket. Although much of the keep and courtyard walls have since been lost, the foundations and a section of the northeast wall still remain today.

The Significance Fast Castle stands as a testament to the rich history of Scotland and the Scottish Borders. It played a role in many of the major events and power struggles that took place in the country and was host to many important figures, including Margaret Tudor and Mary, Queen of Scots. The castle’s well-defended position and architectural similarities to Dunnottar Castle in Aberdeenshire also make it an interesting study for those interested in medieval fortifications.