Brunstane Castle

Brunstane Castle is a ruined L-plan tower house, dating from the 16th century, around 2 mi miles south west of Penicuik, on the north bank of the North Esk, in Midlothian, Scotland.

Alternative names are Brunston, Brunstain and Brunstone. It is not to be confused with Brunstane House, Edinburgh.

History
This was originally a property of the Crichtons. The protestant reformer George Wishart was arrested from the tower and taken to St Andrews, where he was martyred. He had been under the care of Alexander Crichton of Brunstane. The castle was burned in 1547, allegedly by Lord Gray.

In 1632 John, John, Lord Maitland, acquired the property, which he extended.

Structure
The castle, which has two storeys and a garret, has a square stair tower, in the re-entrant angle. The stair tower has a corbelled-out caphouse. Under the windows there are gun-loops. There is a large fireplace in the kitchen, which is in the basement. The Hall was on the first floor. Over the doorway is an armonal panel. There are still remains of the courtyard, with a square tower dated 1568. The courtyard has a round-arched postern in the east wall.

It is a category B listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.