It is situated at the head of the River Tyne, 2 miles (3.2 km) south of the village of Pathhead, and the same distance east of Gorebridge.
Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell, constructed the Italianate north range in the 1580s, featuring an elaborate diamond-patterned facade.
John of Corstorphine, chief of Clan Forrester and a Douglas adherent, stormed and slighted the castle in 1445 in retaliation.
That year, James IV granted Crichton Castle to Patrick Hepburn, Lord Hailes, who was later made Earl of Bothwell.
[1] Lady Agnes's son Patrick Hepburn, 3rd Earl of Bothwell, inherited the castle and intrigued with the English against the Scottish crown, but eventually made peace with the regent, Mary of Guise.
[3] The castle was the scene of the marriage and wedding festivities, on 4 January 1562, of Patrick's daughter Jean (d. before July 1599) and John Stewart, who was Prior of Coldingham and illegitimate son of King James V. John Stewart's half-sister Mary, Queen of Scots, spent a few nights at the castle while attending this wedding.
His son Francis Stewart was reinstated, but laboured under his father's debts, and sold the castle to the Hepburns of Humbie.
Francis Stewart, the designer, had travelled to Italy, and was inspired by new styles and technology in buildings there, particularly the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara (c. 1582).
The initials of Francis and his wife Margaret Douglas appear on the walls, together with an anchor representing Stewart's position of Lord High Admiral of Scotland.
Inside are further innovations: Scotland's first "scale-and-platt" stair, i.e. a modern-style staircase with landings;[9] and a drawing room to the north of the old tower.