OS1/34/2/14

Continued entries/extra info

[page] 14
[Abercorn Castle Continued from page 13]

Castle by Storm battering it severely with the shocks of the warlike engines employed in those
days. etc. It was immediately dismantled never afterwards repaired, appeared in a half
demolished state ( Semidiruta arx) in the time of Buchanan and in our own day not a trace of
it remains. The Castle of Abercorn was not however taken with ease or impunity. In the
language of Pitscottie, "he had won the Castle of Abercorn quhair he losed manie of his folkes
and sundrie richt evil woundit". -- ibid. [as above - Life on Land and Water at South Queensferry] page 222

In the thirteenth century the estate of Abercorn passed by marriage into the possession of the
Graemes and was held by the patriot Sir John the Graeme the friend of Wallace Killed
in battle against the English at Falkirk July 22nd. 1298. The estate was Subsequently
the property of the Black Douglasses. Abercorn Castle a strong natural position partook of the
fortunes of that proud house. Repeatedly attacked during a period peculiarly turbulent it was
besieged by James II in 1455 and taken by storm on the 8th. of April. The Earl's retainers
were put to the sword and the Castle destroyed. Buchanan speaks of it as Semidiruta arx
in his times. It was never rebuilt. The estate was conferred by the Crown on Claud Hamilton the
first viscount Paisley third son of the Earl of Arran. Forfeited for his adherence to the fortunes of
Mary it was restored to his son by James VI created in 1606 Earl of Abercorn. From this family it passed
successively to the Mures, Lindsays of the Byres and Setons and was sold by Sir Walter Seton in 1678
to John Hope father to the first Earl of Hopeton. The estate had dwindled at that time to a few acres
but had the Sheriffship of the County attached to it until the abolition of heritable jurisdictions.
New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] of the Co.[County] Linlithgow page 24
[Continued on page 15]