Brackenhill Tower

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Counterfeiter, murderer, protection racketeer – Richard Graham, or Richie as he was better known, of Brackenhill was a celebrated reiver who was one of the masterminds behind the breaking of Kinmont Willie from Carlisle.
Any Scottish raid into Cumbria would have to pass through the Graham’s lands to reach the City and the Grahams were in the plot up to their necks. Many of them were related to the Armstrongs through marriage.
Richie was one of six Grahams along with Walter, Will, John, William and Hutcheon that claimed they were ‘innocent of the detestable treason of the breaking of Carlisle castle and no way consenting to the taking of Kinmont out of the same.’ Their words. But they had. Buccleuch admitted as much.
The Brackenhill fortified red sandstone pele that stands near Longtown today was built for Richie in 1584, replacing a much earlier tower on the spot. The Grade Two listed building has been classified as a ‘building at risk’ from disrepair by English Heritage. You can stay in the luxury apartments at Brackenhill now – the only once Scottish pele that’s now on English soil – and soak up some of the atmosphere. Visit http://www.brackenhilltower.co.uk/ for rates and availability.

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