Parts of a Scottish castle remain closed to the public after a “very angry badger” took up residence. The cellar tunnel at Craignethan Castle, in South Lanarkshire, was initially closed last week after the animal arrived, and remains closed while the damage it caused is repaired.
It is thought the animal had become lost, and staff tried to lure it out with cat food and honey.
Beware the #AngryBadger!
— Historic Scotland (@welovehistory) April 13, 2018
If you're heading to #CraignethanCastle over the next few days you might find the Cellar Tunnel closed due to the presence of a very angry badger. We're trying to entice it out with cat food & send it home to #chilloot https://t.co/K4C2lA84xD pic.twitter.com/nTuC9VPOuo
Staff first noticed some dug-out earth last Wednesday evening, and later saw the culprit. The badger is said to have caused some mess, digging through loose soil into stonework, and staff have been clearing away the rubble.
On social media, people tried to give the castle better tips on shifting the animal – including luring it out with peanuts.
Thank you to all our friends and followers for sending through their #badger tips. We now know badgers much prefer peanuts and even bananas, over cat food. If your castle tunnel is experiencing similar problems, remember the @ScottishSPCA can assist with animal welfare enquiries. pic.twitter.com/9iVqVI1LYV
— Historic Scotland (@welovehistory) April 18, 2018
A spokesman for Historic Environment Scotland said: “We’ve had to temporarily close Craignethan Castle’s cellar tunnel due to an unexpected guest. The tunnel was closed around midday on 12 April. The castle is surrounded by woodland and we believe the badger may have become lost. Staff have been in contact with local wildlife authorities.”
Workers confirmed that the animal vacated the tunnel at the weekend, but that owing to damage to stone masonry, visitors are still being kept out of the tunnel a week later.
#badgerupdate While our furry friend left the building over the weekend, we can confirm the #CraignethanCastle cellar tunnel remains closed this week. Our work team on-site need to repair some of the stone masonry the badger damaged. The rest of the castle is open for visitors. pic.twitter.com/MgmJVObWnt
— Historic Scotland (@welovehistory) April 18, 2018
The castle was built in the early part of the 16th century by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart. It features a caponier – an enclosed tunnel with gunports overlooking the ditch – which is rare in the British Isles, and in its heyday hosted James V and his daughter Mary, Queen of Scots.
