Starlight Castle, Holywell Dene

STARLIGHT CASTLE

This ruined picturesque building, nestling on a delightful bend of the slope as you go up the burn, has a romantic tradition associated with it. One of the numerous legends of the district is that Sir Francis Blake Delaval had numerous female dependants living in private houses on his estate. The last addition to the army of pensioners brought North to be near the residence of her patron, had just arrived, when it was discovered there was no suitable accommodation for her. When relating his disappointment to one of his visitors, the idea struck him that he would build a small castle for her; his friend laughed at his enthusiasm and said the residence was wanted at once, but castles could not be built in a day. " Oh yes," said Sir Francis, " I'll wager you a hundred guineas that I will build one in a day, before the month is out." The wager was accepted, and Sir Francis gave orders for material to be prepared for the building of a castle according to plans he had prepared; and when everything was ready, the workmen had to put the material together within twenty four hours. The result was that Sir Francis won his wager, and Sterling Castle became the wonder and delight of all visitors to the entertainments of the gay Sir Francis.