Kilspindie Castle

Kilspindie Castle stands north of Aberlady village in East Lothian. The remains lie behind the Victorian St Mary’s Kirk. Only scattered stones mark the base of a doorway and a short stretch of wall with oval gun loops. The site is protected as a scheduled monument. Another ruin called Kilspindie Castle once stood near Coldingham. Metal finds show the site was occupied from earliest times. It has produced the largest single group of Anglo-Saxon objects yet found in Scotland. The Douglas family took control in the early 16th century after a violent feud. Archibald ‘Bell-the-cat’, fifth Earl of Angus, used his great sword to remove a rival’s leg and secure the lands. Gavin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld, later helped transfer the name to this place. A new tower and fortalice were built before 1600, probably as early as 1558. It was likely surrounded by a barmkin wall with stables, brewhouse and barns inside. A deep ditch filled by the tide added to the defences. By the 18th century the castle had been dismantled for building materials. Large stones from the house now form parts of field walls and the road to the golf course. A heavy studded door survives inside Luffness House.