Newark Castle

Newark Tower – A Forgotten Border Stronghold with a Dark Past

Hidden among the peaceful woodlands of Bowhill Estate near Selkirk, Newark Tower is one of the Scottish Borders’ most fascinating medieval tower houses. Unlike Scotland’s famous royal castles, Newark is a quieter place, rarely crowded, where visitors can explore centuries of turbulent Border history surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Today the ruined tower overlooks the Ettrick Valley, but its walls once guarded one of the most dangerous frontiers in Britain.

A fortress on the Border

The present Newark Tower was built in the early 15th century by the powerful Douglas family. The first documentary reference dates to 1423, although an earlier fortified site is believed to have occupied the same location. The name “Newark” literally means “new work”, distinguishing it from an older nearby fortification.

During the Middle Ages, the Scottish Borders were far from peaceful. Constant conflict between Scotland and England, together with raids by the famous Border Reivers, made strong defensive towers an essential part of everyday life. Newark Tower was designed not only as a residence for an important noble family but also as a defensible refuge during times of war.

The Douglas family and the Scottish Crown

After the fall of the Black Douglases in the mid-15th century, Newark Tower passed into royal ownership. The surrounding Ettrick Forest was one of the favourite hunting grounds of the Scottish kings, and the tower occasionally served as a royal residence during hunting expeditions.

Its strategic position allowed control over important routes through the valleys of the Scottish Borders while remaining protected by the surrounding landscape.

Attacked during the Rough Wooing

The tower suffered heavily during the Rough Wooing, the series of wars fought between Scotland and England in the 1540s.

English forces attacked Newark more than once. Although the defenders successfully resisted an early assault, the castle was eventually captured and badly damaged during later campaigns. It was repaired, but its military importance gradually declined as the Borders became more stable.

The tragedy after the Battle of Philiphaugh

Newark Tower is remembered above all for one of the darkest episodes in Border history.

Following the Battle of Philiphaugh on 13 September 1645, around one hundred Royalist prisoners captured after the defeat of the Marquis of Montrose were confined inside the tower.

Many of these prisoners were executed shortly afterwards despite promises of mercy. The massacre remains one of the most controversial events of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and gives Newark Tower a particularly sombre place in Scottish history.

Architecture

Although now roofless, Newark Tower remains an impressive example of a Scottish tower house.

Originally it stood around five storeys high and was protected by a surrounding barmkin wall, creating a defended courtyard for livestock and supplies.

Inside the tower visitors can still identify:

• the vaulted cellar used for storage,
• the great hall where daily life took place,
• private chambers on the upper floors,
• defensive features including thick stone walls and narrow windows designed for protection rather than comfort.

The surviving structure offers an excellent impression of how a late medieval Border stronghold functioned.

Visiting Newark Tower

Newark Tower stands within the beautiful Bowhill Estate, only a short drive from Selkirk in the Scottish Borders.

The peaceful surroundings are striking when compared with the violence that once shaped this region. Walking around the ruins today, it is difficult to imagine the sieges, battles and executions that unfolded here over six centuries.

Unlike many larger castles, Newark rewards visitors looking for a quieter historical site away from Scotland’s busiest tourist attractions.

Interesting facts

• The first recorded reference to Newark dates from 1423.
• “Newark” means “new work”, referring to a newer fortress replacing an earlier stronghold.
• The tower was built by the powerful Douglas family.
• It later became property of the Scottish Crown.
• Around 100 Royalist prisoners were held and executed here after the Battle of Philiphaugh in 1645.
• Newark Tower is considered one of the best-preserved medieval tower houses in the Scottish Borders despite its ruined condition.

Final thoughts

Newark Tower may not have the fame of Edinburgh Castle or Stirling Castle, but it tells an equally compelling story. It reflects the harsh realities of life on the Anglo-Scottish frontier, the power struggles of medieval noble families and one of the most tragic episodes of the Civil Wars.

For anyone exploring the Scottish Borders, it is a rewarding stop that combines dramatic history with peaceful scenery. Standing among its ancient stone walls, it is easy to appreciate why Newark Tower remains one of the region’s hidden historical treasures.