What is recorded here
Billie Castle was a strong quadrangular keep with walls over seven feet thick, built to resist English raids and Scottish kings alike. It fell in 1544 after Hertford's forces burnt Edinburgh, yet men still held it against Willoughby and Carlisle in 1548. James VI slept there in 1596 while alarming the English at Berwick-upon-Tweed, but the laird and lady were absent. What remains is a turf-covered mound beside a corn kiln and two enclosures, small enough to walk around in a breath.
Scotland's National Record of the Historic Environment records Billie Castle as Castle (medieval), Corn Drying Kiln (medieval), Enclosure(s) (medieval). The official map says its point is accurate as follows: NGR given to the nearest 1m. The record does not by itself mean that the public may enter the place.
The historic-place record does not grant public access. Check current conditions and ownership before entering land or a building.
Places near here
Auchencrow MainsRoundhouse(s) (later Prehistoric), Unenclosed Settlement (later Prehistoric) · 435 yd
Billie MainsWind Pump (19th Century) · 672 yd
Auchencrow, the Craw InnCoaching Inn (19th Century), Public House (period Unassigned) · 1154 yd
Greenburn, CottagesCottage(s) (period Unassigned) · 1676 yd
Horseley HillMountain / peak · 1.9 mi
Gallows LawNo Class (event) (period Unassigned) · 2.0 mi
Jim Clark MemorialMemorial · 2.2 mi
Hutton CastleArmorial Panel (medieval), Castle (16th Century), Moated Site (medieval) · 3.8 mi
Fawcett WoodForest · 3.8 mi
Roundel WoodForest · 4.4 mi
War MemorialMemorial · 4.8 mi
Coldingham PrioryNo Class (event) (period Unassigned) · 5.1 miOther information
Photo: Richard Webb · CC BY-SA 2.0