Re: Hermanston

[Niven Sinclair <niven@niven.co.uk>]

At 13:53 08/10/00 -0400, you wrote:
>     Could anyone tell me the location of Hermanston in relation to
>Aberlady and Haddington?
>
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Hermandston is downstream (on the River Tyne*) from Pencaitland
and may mow be shown on the map as Samuelston.

Hermanston Castle was blown up by the Royal Engineers (practising
demolition) so there is nothing left there now except the Chapel of St
John (where the Sinclairs of Hermanston are still buried) and one of the
best examples of a bottle dungeon to be found anywhere in Scotland
which, being below ground, escaped destruction.

The tunnel which linked the Castle with the River is still extant although,
in the interests of safety, a heavy iron grill prevents entry.

Hermandston, like Rosslyn, stood in the way of any English army intent
on attacking Edinburgh.  The distance between the two Castles being
"one day's march" for foot soldiers.

This River Tyne should not be confused with its English namesake.


Niven Sinclair

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