A house of verie good strengthe

Built shortly before 1300, Hailes Castle is one of the oldest surviving castles in Scotland.

Initially the fortified residence of Hugo de Gourlay, his lands were lost for supporting the English during the Wars of Independence in the early 14th Century. Sir Adam de Hepburn became the new lord and the Hepburns retained the lands until 1567 when they were forfeit by James Hepburn, 4th earl of Bothwell and the third husband of Mary Queen of Scots.

Hailes Castle served chiefly as a private house and the centre of the lord's estate. The tenants would have come here to pay their rents and the lord dispensed justice making use of the two jails situated within the walls. The castle was also the place of refuge for the family, household and tenants.

In 1446 the pro-English Archibald Dunbar stormed the castle and "slew all that he found therin". Cromwell's Roundheads are said to have dismantled the castle in 1650.

I've added some more images on my Hailes Castle portfolio.