Mathematical History Tour (Plus): Base of Fast Castle

My "ride" with my tower home in the background

Heading out of the harbor - the initial pulling away (above) and picking up speed as we pass the Eyemouth headland on our way to Fast Castle.

I am immersing myself in the life of mathematician John Napier, and, as shared in multiple previous posts, he was contracted to search for treasure at Fast Castle using his so-called sorcerous powers (technically his "craft and engine" -- according to the contract: "The said Jhone sall do his utter and exact diligens to serche and sik out, and by all craft and ingyne . . ."). There are many legends of treasure at Fast Castle, and they persist to this day. This area was full of smuggling activity at one time. The name Fast Castle is a corruption of Faux Castle, meaning False Castle, so called because "wrecking" by the hanging of false lights to lure ships onto the rocks was known to have taken place. The Templar Knights may have hid treasure here. There may be Spanish treasure relating to the "Affair of the Spanish Blanks" and a possible second Spanish Armada. It may be one of those things, something else entirely, or nothing at all! According to the contract, which was written up in 1594, there are diverse old reports and appearances that there should be within Robert's dwelling of Fast Castle a sum of money and treasure hidden, which is as yet unfound by any man (". . . as ther is dywerss ald reportis motiffis and appirancis, that thair suld be within the said Robertis dwellinge place of Fascastell a soum of monie and Poiss [treasure], heid and hurdit up secritlie, quilk [which] as yit is un fund by ony man.") Other posts in this blog in which this is written of at greater length are at this link and at this link. This is a place I had tried to get to for years. It is quite remote. Last year I was finally able to get there by land, and this year I finally was able to get there by sea. I've really wanted to get the fullest sense possible of this place. Beyond this point, this post will be mostly pictures and videos with very few words. I'm using the images for reference for talks I'll give and writing that I'll do. (The videos contained here are very short - all but one are approximately half a minute each.)

Passing St. Abb's Head on the way to Fast Castle

The abundance of caves along the shoreline is part of what made this a haven for smugglers. The two large caves to the right of the picture below are directly beneath the ruins of Fast Castle, one wall of which can still be seen standing and is near the far right of this picture.

Coming at Fast Castle from the south

It is thought that one of the caves at the base of the cliff connected to the castle. If that's the case it likely would have been the large cave to the left in the pictures above and below.

Here is the same cave from above - photo taken on my previous trip to this location -

Going around the peninsula to look from the north -

And coming back around to the south (1:16)

Because of my interest in this place, I could have stayed for hours, but, eventually, it was time to head back in. We did see some interesting sights on the way back as well, and all of it provides good background for my studies.

We took our time at Fast Castle, but heading back we zipped right along!