Blackhouse Tower
Blackhouse Tower, 11 miles West of Selkirk off A708, is situated on Douglas
Burn by Yarrow Water. Blackhouse was a stronghold of Sir
James "The Good", Captain, friend & loyal supporter of Robert
the Bruce.
Blackhouse Tower and Sir
James Douglas
The Ettrick Forest or the 'Forest' as it was known has long connection with
the earlier Scottish kings as a hunting area. The Douglas family were seen
as the keepers of this area and it is after this family that the Douglas
Burn is named. As far back as the 11th Century William, first Lord Douglas,
had a Tower at Blackhouse, although the present day ruin is of a successor
tower.
It was at the site of Blackhouse Tower that the Douglas
Tragedy took place, the Douglas father and seven brothers being killed by
Lady Margaret's lover. He himself was wounded and that night died close by
St Mary's Loch. It is said that there are seven stones on the surrounding
hillside to mark where the brothers were slain.
The second connection is through Sir James Douglas (1286 -
1330). In 1306 he joined Robert the Bruce and fought a campaign at Brodick.
In 1308 he retook the family seat at Blackhouse then went on to fight at the
Pass of Brander, Roxburgh and
Bannockburn. He then was appointed Warden of of Scotland and led raids
into England gaining the title 'Black Douglas'.
Location: NT 281273
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