Barnes Castle

Barnes Castle is perhaps unique in Scotland. An ambitious fortified courtyard started by Sir John Seton in the 16th century, it appears to have been inspired by continental designs, but was never completed, and may have been abandoned upon his death in 1594.

Although assumed to have belonged to the nunnery in Haddington (as stated in the 16th century history of the Setons commissioned by the 7th Lord Seton), Barnes had been held by the Seton family under Robert Bruce, Robert III and James IV. In 1567, the barony of Barnes was granted to the earl of Bothwell (on the date he was acquitted of the murder of Lord Darnley), and in 1583 Lord Seton granted it to his younger son Sir John, so the history is obscure and convoluted up to this date.  What is clear is that substantial works were commissioned and started at Barnes, and abandoned after Sir John’s death. They were never restarted, and Barnes was sold in the 18th century. Today the ruins are accessible by foot – but fenced off for safety reasons.

HES Canmore database entry