HARBOTTLE, a township in the parish of HALLYSTONE,
western division of COQUETDALE ward, county
of NORTHUMBERLAND, 2 miles (N.W.) from Hallystone,
containing 181 inhabitants. A place of worship for Presbyterians
was erected in 1756. There are two fairs for
sheep, on the 8th of July and the 9th of September. A
free school was founded by the late William Dixon, and
endowed with certain property producing £ 14.10. a year,
for which sixteen children are educated, besides thirteen
others instructed at the expense of Thomas Clennell,
Esq. The castle, now in ruins, was> in the reign of Edward
I., a very strong fortress, and sustained the reiterated
attacks of the whole Scottish army in 1296. Hither
Margaret, Queen Dowager of Scotland, retired in 1515,
after her marriage with the Earl of Angus, and here
she was delivered of a daughter in 1518. The extensive
remains of the building are situated on a commanding
eminence overlooking the river Coquet; the walls of
the great tower, being rent asunder and overhanging
their bases, have a singular and striking effect.