Elibank Castle & The Tale o' Muckle Mooth Meg

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Four hundred years ago, while Elibank Castle was the home of Sir Gideon Murray of Elibank, his wife Margaret, and their several sons and daughters, The "Fray of Elibank" took place in 1611. To mark the four hundredth anniversary let's explore what remains of Elibank Castle in January 2011.

The castle is approached by a path which ascends through woodland from the minor road along the south bank of the River Tweed near Traquair.

First glimpse of the castle.
The Scotts of Harden were neighbours of the Murrays of Elibank and there had been a long running feud between the two families.

As we draw nearer we recall the derring do of Auld Wat Scott of Harden and Scott of Buccleuch who combined in 1596 to free Kinmont Willie Armstrong from English captivity in Carlisle Castle, the Scotts were a reiving family and were a force to be reckoned with.

Near the castle we find much rubble of outbuildings covering a wider area, in 1611 the castle would probably have been surrounded by stables and byres for livestock. One day in 1611, William Scott of Harden, eldest son of Auld Wat, who lived in Aikwood Tower, fifteen miles from Elibank allowed avarice to override common sense and set off with a raiding party for Elibank with the intention of stealing Murray's cattle.

Raiding this castle would have been no mean feat as it stands on a steep hillside on the south side of the Tweed valley.

There was a fray and Murray's men overpowered the Scotts and William Scott was imprisoned in the castle dungeon. So let's explore inside.....
More to follow shortly