Innerwick Castle, Medieval castle ruins in East Lothian, Scotland.
Innerwick Castle is a medieval fortification whose stone ruins sit on a rocky cliff above Thornton Burn, with remnants of walls, vaults, and a defensive ditch carved into the bedrock. The structure displays defensive features typical of border strongholds in medieval Scotland.
The Stewart family built this fortress in the 14th century, and it came under Hamilton control in 1398 before English forces destroyed it during a siege in 1547. The attack ended its time as an active stronghold.
The castle grounds contain sections of the original tower and courtyard, representing the defensive architecture prevalent in medieval Scottish border fortifications.
These ruins are currently off-limits to visitors due to structural instability and ongoing preservation work that requires site closure. You can view the remains from a distance and observe the fortification from the surrounding landscape.
The site sits within Thornton Glen Wildlife Reserve, where uncommon fern species grow among the medieval stone structures. This blend of history and natural conservation creates an unusual convergence where ruins and protected habitat coexist.
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