St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Many Faces of St Andrews Castle
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
1. The Many Faces of St Andrews Castle Marker
Home to the most senior bishops and archbishops in Scotland, the castle was razed and rebuilt several times over.
The Castle in the 1520s
Archbishop James Beaton built the substantial circular gun towers or block houses in an atmosphere of growing national crisis. In 1513 James IV had led Scottish forces into open combat with English troops at Flodden, Northumberland. He and many Scottish nobles were killed.
The Hamilton Facade
Archbishop John Hamilton carried out extensive repairs to the damage caused during the siege of 1547. The entrance before you was the most impressive part, with a carving of his coat of arms and frieze of five-petalled flowers or cinquefoils - his family emblem.
1. Block House:
The very thick walls were designed to protect gunners in the castle from heavy artillery fire.
2. Bottle Dungeon:
A dark and airless pit carved out of solid rock. 'Many of God's children were imprisoned here,' wrote John Knox.
3. Archbishop's Lodgings:
Spacious accommodation of the first floor; lit by large south-facing windows in Archbishop Hamilton's time.
4. Mine and Countermine:
During the 1546-7 siege,
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Timeline
1189-1202
Bishop Roger builds a castle here.
1296-1357
Wars of Independence. The castle is taken by the English and retaken by the Scots several times before razed in 1337.
1400
Bishop Walter Trail rebuilds the castle.
1546-7
The castle is severely damaged during the Earl of Arran's siege.
1550s
Archbishop John Hamilton rebuilds the castle.
Erected by Historic Scotland.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 56° 20.516′ N, 2° 47.422′ W. Marker is in St Andrews, Scotland, in Fife. It is on East Scores. Marker located at the entrance of St Andrews Castle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: St Andrews, Scotland KY16 9AR, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Scotland’s Kingdom of Fife. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Celtic Fringe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
2. St Andrews Castle
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A Religious Powerhouse (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Patrick Hamilton (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Lofty Beginnings (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The "Battle" of May Island (approx. 14.6 kilometers away); Flight of Captain Bennett (approx. 16.8 kilometers away).
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
3. The Many Faces of St Andrews Castle Marker
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
4. St Andrews Castle Grounds, looking toward the North Sea
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
5. St Andrews Castle looking back toward the Entrance Gate and Archbishop's Lodgings
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
6. The Hamilton Facade & Entrance Gate
Carving of Hamilton's coat of arms and frieze of five-petalled flowers.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
7. St Andrews Castle Visitor Centre Entrance
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
8. St Andrews Castle
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
9. View of St Andrews Landmarks from St. Rule's Tower
Major sites labeled (black and yellow text)
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
10. Bottle Dungeon
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
11. Mine and Countermine
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
12. John Knox - galley slave
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
13. John Knox
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
14. The Reformation and St Andrews
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, April 5, 2011
15. The Reformation Destruction
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 692 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. submitted on September 23, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
