“In his book, The Steel Bonnets, George Macdonald Fraser describes Hermitage as “the guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain”. Known as 'the strength of Liddesdale', Hermitage was fought over time and again.” www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/hermitage-castle/history/#:~:text=In%20his%20book%2C%20The%20Steel,fought%20over%20time%20and%20again.
Well done! Another fine, gentle ambience video . . . And there was 'Soulis' the wicked wizard of Hermitage It's been 56 years since I visited here with primary school ~ and our eccentric head teacher told us the story of Red Cap Soulis , with great animation . . . . Now I'm back in the the Borders we must visit again ~ THANK-YOU ! Your worst nightmares could never conjure up a place as demonic as Hermitage Castle. It broods in desolate isolation amid some of the eeriest countryside imaginable. The warmth of a summer's day rarely penetrates its sullen bulk. Creepy corridors and cold stone staircases meander between the moss-clad walls of its ruinous interior, the very fabric of which seems imbued with a genuine ambience of menacing evil. Most famous of all the castle's bygone residents was Sir William de Soulis, who owned it during the reign of Robert the Bruce. Historically, Sir William was arrested and executed for plotting the assassination of Bruce so that he might be crowned King of Scotland. Legend, however, has chosen to bestow a far more dramatic end upon "bad lord de Soulis." Tradition maintains that this thoroughly evil individual was a practitioner of the Black Arts who kidnapped the neighbourhood's children and used their blood in his sinister rituals, during which he would conjure up his demonic familiar, Robin Redcap. Eventually, the local people petitioned King Robert, begging to be relieved from the scourge of their wicked lord. "Boil him if you must," replied the king, "but let me hear no more of him." Taking his words literally, the locals stormed the castle, wrapped de Soulis in lead, and plunged him head-first into a boiling cauldron. His ghost now wanders the castle, a malevolent spectre whose nebulous meanderings are often accompanied by the heart-rendering sobs of children echoing along the crumbling corridors. There is something strangely indefinable about this place, as if the malicious forces harboured within its vast, impregnable walls resent your presence. Indeed, it is easy to understand the local sentiments recorded by Sir Walter Scott. "The castle … unable to support the load of iniquity which had long been accumulating within its walls, is supposed to have partly sunk beneath the ground, and its ruins are still regarded by the peasants with peculiar aversion and horror."
It definitely is different from any over Castle I’ve visited. Its size almost makes it other worldly, like being in a medieval novel. If only it still was as it is illustrated on the information boards. Its definitely somewhere that would have ingrained itself upon you if visiting as a child as you did, quite terrifying I imagine. So pleased you enjoyed the video and thanks for the info. Enjoy your trip back to Hermitage. 🏰
Thank you for watching. I was once doing a shift at my old job and a customer also said this very same thing to me. I’ve never seen Game Of Thrones. I might have to give it a watch. Thanks again for commenting and watching.l and leaving comments. ☺️
Georgia, I live in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, but my ancestors were vikings who originally resided around Durham. My great-great-great grandfather and his son emigrated to America in 1834 after living and working as a millwright Southeast of Manchester, UK. By October 1845 my ancestors lived in Sacramento, California, and by 1848 they lived in San Francisco. Georgia, your video was wonderful, and I really appreciate your fine work, Bravo.
Wow. I’d love to spend some time In America I bet it’s amazing! I’m born and bred in County Durham. Great to know your family history it must have taken a while to research? Thanks again for watching, it amazes me where subscribers are watching from. I wish more people would comment.
Pure class! It's an absolute crime how few subscribers you have with quality content like this in every episode where your passion for British heritage shines through.
“In his book, The Steel Bonnets, George Macdonald Fraser describes Hermitage as “the guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain”. Known as 'the strength of Liddesdale', Hermitage was fought over time and again.”
www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/hermitage-castle/history/#:~:text=In%20his%20book%2C%20The%20Steel,fought%20over%20time%20and%20again.
Well done! Another fine, gentle ambience video . . .
And there was 'Soulis' the wicked wizard of Hermitage
It's been 56 years since I visited here with primary school ~ and our eccentric head teacher told us the story of Red Cap Soulis , with great animation . . . . Now I'm back in the the Borders we must visit again ~ THANK-YOU !
Your worst nightmares could never conjure up a place as demonic as Hermitage Castle. It broods in desolate isolation amid some of the eeriest countryside imaginable. The warmth of a summer's day rarely penetrates its sullen bulk. Creepy corridors and cold stone staircases meander between the moss-clad walls of its ruinous interior, the very fabric of which seems imbued with a genuine ambience of menacing evil.
Most famous of all the castle's bygone residents was Sir William de Soulis, who owned it during the reign of Robert the Bruce. Historically, Sir William was arrested and executed for plotting the assassination of Bruce so that he might be crowned King of Scotland. Legend, however, has chosen to bestow a far more dramatic end upon "bad lord de Soulis." Tradition maintains that this thoroughly evil individual was a practitioner of the Black Arts who kidnapped the neighbourhood's children and used their blood in his sinister rituals, during which he would conjure up his demonic familiar, Robin Redcap. Eventually, the local people petitioned King Robert, begging to be relieved from the scourge of their wicked lord.
"Boil him if you must," replied the king, "but let me hear no more of him." Taking his words literally, the locals stormed the castle, wrapped de Soulis in lead, and plunged him head-first into a boiling cauldron. His ghost now wanders the castle, a malevolent spectre whose nebulous meanderings are often accompanied by the heart-rendering sobs of children echoing along the crumbling corridors. There is something strangely indefinable about this place, as if the malicious forces harboured within its vast, impregnable walls resent your presence.
Indeed, it is easy to understand the local sentiments recorded by Sir Walter Scott.
"The castle … unable to support the load of iniquity which had long been accumulating within its walls, is supposed to have partly sunk beneath the ground, and its ruins are still regarded by the peasants with peculiar aversion and horror."
It definitely is different from any over Castle I’ve visited. Its size almost makes it other worldly, like being in a medieval novel. If only it still was as it is illustrated on the information boards. Its definitely somewhere that would have ingrained itself upon you if visiting as a child as you did, quite terrifying I imagine. So pleased you enjoyed the video and thanks for the info. Enjoy your trip back to Hermitage. 🏰
Lovely cinematography and very informative, castle is well wicked as well, thanks for the tour, cheers.
Thanks so very much! Was listening to your Two Divided By Zero again last night. So good. 🎶🎧
I was watching Ayra Stark in Game of Thrones a few mins ago …..i thought you loooked very like her …synchronous fun..
Sweet vids
Thank you for watching. I was once doing a shift at my old job and a customer also said this very same thing to me. I’ve never seen Game Of Thrones. I might have to give it a watch. Thanks again for commenting and watching.l and leaving comments. ☺️
Georgia, I live in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, but my ancestors were vikings who originally resided around Durham. My great-great-great grandfather and his son emigrated to America in 1834 after living and working as a millwright Southeast of Manchester, UK. By October 1845 my ancestors lived in Sacramento, California, and by 1848 they lived in San Francisco. Georgia, your video was wonderful, and I really appreciate your fine work, Bravo.
Wow. I’d love to spend some time In America I bet it’s amazing! I’m born and bred in County Durham. Great to know your family history it must have taken a while to research? Thanks again for watching, it amazes me where subscribers are watching from. I wish more people
would comment.
Pure class!
It's an absolute crime how few subscribers you have with quality content like this in every episode where your passion for British heritage shines through.
The strength was a different place.
As in liddlesdale castle was known as the strength of liddlesdale. Not hermitage.