Hermitage, Roxburghshire, Scotland
It was a rainy day when we visited this Historic site so the Pictures reflect that mood.
The Hermitage Castle was built sometime around the 1300's.
In 1566 James Hepburn, Fourth Earl of Bothwell, had a visit from
his lover Mary, Queen of Scots. She was married still at the time
to Lord Darnley (Henry Stewart) and the father of James VI-the future
king of England. In the same year when Lord Darnley began taking part
in a coup against Mary, Queen of scots; Mary turned against him and
got him to help her escape to Dunbar Castle to the safety of none other
Than James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell. Mary gave birth in June of 1566
to James VI of Scotland and I of England. Darnley refused to attend his
son's christening later that year. In 1567 Darnley became ill and Mary moved
him to Edinburgh, the Provost House. After a visit from Mary one evening, the
house was destroyed by an explosion. Darnley and a manservent were found strangled
while trying to escape. Mary, Queen of Scots then went on to marry James Hepburn,
Fourth Earl of Bothwell. All this was more than the politics of Scotland would stand
and was the beginning of the end for Mary.
