A couple of weeks ago I was sent the most recent copy of Historic Scotland magazine and I was surprised to see that the article about St Andrews Castle – in St Andrews north-east Fife – featured photographs that I didn’t recognise at all. Obviously there were parts of the castle that we had somehow missed in previous visits!
So a couple of days later we went there to do some investigating and discovered the tunnels underneath the castle that had been mined in an attempt to undermine the castle during a siege in 1546-47. We also saw the bottle-dungeon that people were lowered into, unlikely ever to see the light of day again. It’s a long way down!
The times were brutal, these were religious fights with the castle being held by the Catholics to begin with. When a Protestant faction gained access they murdered the cardinal who was in residence. In an attempt to regain the castle the Catholics started to dig a mine under the castle and the Protestants dug a countermine. Click on the link above if you’re interested in the history of the place.
And so on down to the mine, mind your head, it’s only about three and a half feet high in most parts!
It’s a long way down.
And there are a lot of stairs
And even a metal ladder to negotiate!
You can get an idea of the lay out from the board below, although that makes it look a lot shorter than it is.
I’m not claustrophobic – but I was glad to get back above ground again!
The oldest building I’ve been in is the Round House in Fremantle, Western Australia, a former gaol opened in 1831. Over thirty years later I can still remember the sad, oppressive atmosphere of the place even though I was in the open sunlit courtyard and didn’t enter the cells.
No way would I go down, down, down those mines at St Andrews Castle!
Also I’m looking at those hazards illustrated on the notice – slipping, head-bumping, tripping – great care required,obviously.
I bet you were pleased to be up in the fresh open air again.
Valerie,
1831 seems almost modern compared with buildings around here! There are some places that have just soaked up the past, so atmospheric like Culloden, it always seems grim and sad even on a sunny day. The worst part of the mine was going down that ladder, with a bag across my shoulder and hanging on to another one, but I’m glad I went down there. I wouldn’t like to go into the dungeon though!
Last time I went inside the castle was when I was a student there in the early 70s. I braved the mine only to discover I was more claustrophobic than I thought. I managed it but never again.
Ahhh memories of the auld grey toon, with the wind whistling down North Street.
H,
I didn’t realise that it would be such a long way down, I might not have gone down if I had known! We had it all to ourselves though and it might have been a lot worse if there were other people to have to negotiate past.
St Andrews is one of my favourite places and I wish we had moved there when I wanted to in the 1980s – we couldn’t afford the crazy house prices there now.
Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment.
Ooh ..er …….I think I’ll just stay up on top and look around the castle ! 🙁 Wishing you a very Happy Christmas ! 🙂
Daisy Debs,
Same to you – Happy Christmas – when it comes!
You have such amazing sites in your backyard! I could never go through that tunnel, though. Brave of you!
Joan,
I’m glad I went down there although I might not have gone if I had realised what a long trek it was!