CRAIGNETHAN CASTLE

Built at the beginning of the 16th century, this castle was well ahead of its time. Its creator and owner, Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, had spent his early years abroad to perfect his knowledge of architecture and fortification. When his father died in 1529, he returned to Scotland to become one of the most powerful lords of the south and a friend of King James V. He fell into disgrace and was executed in 1540 and his descendants occupied Craignethan Castle until 1579. The building was immortalized by Sir Walter Scott in The Puritans of Scotland (1816).