Billie Castle

[3] The Renton family were granted the castle in 1540,[1] after it had been annexed by the Crown,[3] but it was slighted by the forces of the Earl of Hertford in May 1544 after they had burnt Edinburgh.[1] The castle was held against the English again, and in February 1548 Hugh Willoughby was sent with Thomas Carlisle and 50 horsemen by Grey of Wilton to captured "Billie tower".[4] James VI of Scotland alarmed the English garrison at Berwick-upon-Tweed by coming to hunt near Berwick-upon-Tweed in March 1596, staying a night the house of the laird of 'Beelleys' (Billie Castle), six miles from Berwick, and then returning to Dunglass.John Carey, 3rd Baron Hunsdon noted that the laird and lady of Billie were not in residence.It is thought that the building had three storeys, with the upper ones being reached by a narrow stone stair in the north west angle.
Site of Billie Castle
quadrangular castleChirnsidescheduled monumentDunbarsArchibald Douglas, 6th Earl of AngusTantallonbesiegedJames V of ScotlandRentonslightedEarl of Hertfordburnt EdinburghHugh WilloughbyGrey of WiltonJames VI of ScotlandBerwick-upon-TweedDunglassJohn Carey, 3rd Baron HunsdonstoreysgatehouseCastles in Great Britain and IrelandList of castles in ScotlandHistoric Environment ScotlandCastles in the Scottish BordersAyton CastleBranxholme CastleCessford CastleCranshaws CastleCavers CastleDrochil CastleDryhope TowerDuns CastleEdrington CastleFast CastleFatlips CastleFerniehirst CastleFloors CastleFulton TowerGreenknowe TowerHermitage CastleHume CastleJedburgh CastleKirkhope TowerMangerton TowerMervinslaw PeleNeidpath CastleNewark CastleNisbet HouseRoxburgh CastleSmailholm TowerThirlestane CastleTinnis (Yarrow)Traquair HouseVenlawWedderburn CastleWhitslaid Tower