(3 of 10) Craignethan Castle's outer gatehouse
This shot shows the gatehouse leading into the outer ward, with the inner ward in the distance, beyond the dry ditch (crossed by a modern wooden bridge). The outer curtain wall (which is straight, not curved as this panoramic shot suggests) was crowned with a parapet and walk and is bristling with gunloops.
Before the Hamiltons, Graignethan was known as the barony of Draffane and was owned by the Black Douglases until their forfeiture in 1455. The barony was granted to the Hamiltons, and in 1530 was given by James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran to his illegitimate son Sir James Hamilton of Finnart. Finnart had travelled in Europe, and had become an accomplished architect and military engineer. At Craignethan, he set out to build a "showcase" to display his talents in both domestic and military architecture.
(3 of 10) Craignethan Castle's outer gatehouse
This shot shows the gatehouse leading into the outer ward, with the inner ward in the distance, beyond the dry ditch (crossed by a modern wooden bridge). The outer curtain wall (which is straight, not curved as this panoramic shot suggests) was crowned with a parapet and walk and is bristling with gunloops.
Before the Hamiltons, Graignethan was known as the barony of Draffane and was owned by the Black Douglases until their forfeiture in 1455. The barony was granted to the Hamiltons, and in 1530 was given by James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran to his illegitimate son Sir James Hamilton of Finnart. Finnart had travelled in Europe, and had become an accomplished architect and military engineer. At Craignethan, he set out to build a "showcase" to display his talents in both domestic and military architecture.