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Edrington today

Scotland · Ruin

Edrington

Edrington is a medieval estate in the lower part of Mordington parish, Berwickshire, Scotland, historically dominated by a castle on a steep bank above the Whiteadder Water. The castle site occupies the summit above the old Edrington Mill and gave its name to the estate; the ruin is still marked on modern maps. The estate was long held by the Lauder family.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1542

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1542

What Edrington looked like in its prime.

The castle crowns the summit of a steep, grassy bank above the Whiteadder Water, occupying a compact plateau immediately above the mill and river bend. In 1542 it appears as a fully roofed medieval stone stronghold whose massing of roofs and masonry terraces steps down the slope; rooflines and stone walls form a low, rectilinear silhouette against the sky. From the river and surrounding fields the site reads as a single fortified cluster perched above the watercourse.

Its story

The story of Edrington.

Edrington is a medieval estate in the lower part of Mordington parish, Berwickshire, five miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed. From probably the 14th century, if not earlier, a castle occupied the summit of the steep bank above Edrington Mill on the Whiteadder Water, "a place of considerable strength and importance". Edrington appears far earlier in record: charters of King Edgar, circa 1097, granted the profits of the mansions of Foulden and Edrington.

The estate was long held by the Lauder family, who had campaigned with both Sir William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, the king appointed Sir Robert de Laweder of the Bass Justiciar of Lothian before 1316. On 14 December 1425 the King confirmed "Robert de Lawedre of Edringtoun, knight" in the family estates, including the Crag, Balgone, the Bass, Edrington, Simprin, Easter Pencaitland and Newhall.

Lauder lairds of Edrington recur through the 15th century: "Robert de Lawedre Lord of Edrington" witnessed a charter to Patrick de Dunbar of Biel signed at the castle of Biel in 1452, and a 1474 charter of Robert Lauder junior, "Lord of Edringtoun", was confirmed at Edinburgh in 1475, witnessed by his father, Robert Lauder of Bass. The castle ruin is still marked on today's Ordnance Survey maps.

Step inside

5 places to explore in 1542.

The record describes 5 distinct spots at Edrington, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from Edrington MillSummit plateau and courtyardWhiteadder Water riverbank viewApproach across Edrington MainsMillrace and riverside access

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Whose castle

Clans who held Edrington.

The families that held Edrington for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Lauder

    The Lauder family long held Edrington; Robert de Lawedre of Edrington, knight, was confirmed in the estate in 1425.

Questions about Edrington

What is the history of Edrington?

Edrington has been a fortified site since probably the 14th century, if not earlier. The castle occupied a steep bank above the Whiteadder Water and was described as a place of considerable strength and importance. It was taken and burnt by Richard, Duke of Gloucester’s army in July 1482, rebuilt and fortified, and later fell into decay after the Union of 1707.

Why was Edrington built, and what was it used for?

Edrington was built as a stronghold overlooking the Whiteadder Water. Its elevated position made it a place of considerable strength and importance, and it formed part of a medieval estate. By the 18th century, its residential role had been superseded by the Pele Tower at Nether Mordington, now Edrington House.

Where is Edrington?

Edrington is in the lower part of Mordington parish, Berwickshire, within the Scottish Borders. It lies five miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed, above Edrington Mill and the Whiteadder Water. The estate is accessed from both English and Scottish road networks, and a footbridge and footpath connect it to nearby Paxton.

When was Edrington built?

Edrington was built probably in the 14th century, if not earlier. Its first-raised year is not recorded, while charters mentioning Edrington date from circa 1097. The available evidence therefore places the castle’s construction in the medieval period rather than giving a precise year.

Was Edrington ever attacked or besieged?

Edrington was attacked and captured more than once. Richard, Duke of Gloucester’s army took and burnt it in July 1482, after which it was rebuilt and fortified. The English captured it again about 1546, but Edward VI vacated it under a treaty concluded at Norham, restoring the castle to the Scots.

Which family or clan held Edrington?

The Lauder family long held Edrington. On 14 December 1425, Robert de Lawedre of Edrington, knight, was confirmed in the family estates, including Edrington. Lauder lairds of Edrington recur through the 15th century, and the family connection continued into later ownership through intermarriage with the Douglas family.

What did Edrington look like in its prime?

At its prime, Edrington was a fully roofed medieval stone stronghold on a steep grassy bank above the Whiteadder Water. Its roofs and masonry terraces stepped down the slope, forming a low, rectilinear silhouette. From the river and surrounding fields, it appeared as a single fortified cluster perched above the watercourse.

Is Edrington still standing or is it a ruin?

Edrington is now a ruin, with only a fragment surviving beside and incorporated into farm buildings. By 1909 it had been quarried away to near ground level, and a 1915 inventory described a mere fragment adjoining the farm buildings. The ruin remains marked on modern Ordnance Survey maps.

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