Untitled

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 2

The impending demolition of Douglas Castle because of the danger of undcrg ound mineral workings will deprive Scotland of one of its most picturesque and interesting links with the past, because the structure raised in 1761 superseded the older castle, which is enshrined in glamorous romance- -the ..rototype of Sir Walter Scott’s “C stle Dangerous," says the “Scotsman.” Moreover, it marks the end of an ancient prophecy that “as often as Douglas Castle might be destroyed it should rise again in enlarged dimensions and improved splendour," for its place is to be taken by a modern residence The old castle had as its first distinguished owner the good Sir James Douglas, who led the centre of the Scottish van at Bannockburn, and was afterwards slain in his mission against the Saracens. The story of his recapture of the castle when in English hands is a romance in itself. Lady Augusta de Berkely had promised her hand to the suitor who should have the courage to take and hold the perilous Castle of Douglas for a year and a day. Sir John de Walton took up the challenge, and his period of probation had almost expired when the fair lady deemed that he had proved his valour, and wrote to . acall him. Douglas meanwhile had determined to recapture the castle, and de Walton was slain with the letter still in his possession. The treacherous slaying of Earl William in Edinburgh Castle, and the part played by representatives of the ancient house in the Montrose battles and at Sherlffmuir, are well-known episodes in a romantic history.