Cavers, home of the Balliols and later of the Black Douglases

[cessna152towser]

To continue the tale, the army's explosives brought down about half of the Victorian structure but made little impression on the mediaeval part of the house.
Through my Scottish Country Dance class I met the current owner of the ruins who took me to see the property today.

The Victorian alterations included this semi-circular extension at the east end of the building.

To the left of the above view, the older, or southmost, section of the east wall, showing the tower, into which large window apertures were cut during the nineteenth century alterations.

Yes, the date stone on the tower does say 1200, but this was made by a nineteenth century stone mason. The tower into which it has been set was probably constructed at least two hundred years later, on the site of the original castle which dated from around 1200.

It was difficult to get a photo of the south wall because of all the trees. Note the Victorian bay window towards the right, and the mediaeval arrow slit towards bottom left. More about the arrow slit later.

The west wall

Looking up the west wall.

So let's explore inside!