Strathaven Castle

In The Castles of Scotland, Martin Coventry refers to some bones which were found when a wall at Strathaven Castle collapsed in the nineteenth century.

"According to tradition, the wife of a past lord so greatly displeased her husband that she was walled up alive in part of the Castle wall. Nothing is recorded of her crime, yet it is said that she was led into a small purpose-built niche, blessed by a priest, given some food and water, and then walled up forever.

Although the evidence offered is scant, ‘wallings’ did occur, and strike me as a remarkably unpleasant, expensive and slow way of executing an offender. Perhaps that was the point: it gave time to meditate upon one’s wrongs, but never, apparently to make amends. Sadly, Strathaven Castle is closed to the public; one may walk about it, but not in it. Hell, its theological equivalent, is all too readily available. There, walled-up sinners are given opportunity to reflect on their own fallenness and transgressions. There may be regret, but forgiveness is unavailable, for the offer ended with our final breath. Thank God for the gospel of Jesus Christ; it gives us an eternity to reflect also, on the amazing, undeserved love and grace of God the Father, brought by God the Son, bestowed by God the Holy Spirit.