Explore the castles of Dumfries & Galloway
Caerlaverock Castle
Threave Castle
Take a stroll around the beautiful castles to see the unique, triangular Caerlaverock, the strikingly tall Threave and the grand Cardoness.
From the turbulent history of Britain’s only triangular castle to the six storey tower house beside the River Fleet, each and every castle in Dumfries & Galloway is worth a visit.
Spend a morning at Caerlaverock Castle, which boasts a moat, twin-towered gatehouse and imposing battlements. The triangular shape of the castle is unique and a walk around the outside will give you a full sense of the strength, form and pleasing geometry.
Inside the castle walls you can see the remarkable Nithsdale Lodging. Built in the 1630s, admire its attractive facade, embellished with ornate Renaissance stone carvings which contrast well with the severity of the ancient castle walls. There’s also a siege warfare exhibition, a children’s adventure park and a nature walk leading to an earlier castle in the woods.
Visit the well-preserved tower house of Cardoness Castle and admire the views over Fleet Bay from the battlements. See the 15th century Scottish residence of the McCullochs with fine architectural features, including a splendid fireplace and wall cupboard where the family’s best silverware was once on show.
Head down to the River Dee and you’ll find a bell hanging by the water’s edge. Ring the bell, and the custodian will come and collect you by boat, taking you across the river to discover the imposing Threave Castle. Built by Archibald the Grim in the late 14th century, the castle was a stronghold of the Black Douglases, who held the Lordship of Galloway until the 1450s. Admire the strikingly tall building, which is as high as a 10-storey block of flats, and see the artillery curtain wall, which was innovative in terms of defence and years ahead of its time.
In the town of Kirkcudbright stands MacLellan’s Castle, a 16th century castellated town house. Built using stone from an adjoining ruined priory, it differs from the majority of Scottish castles in that it was built as much for comfort as it was for defence.
Dunskey Castle is a striking L-plan tower house which dates back to the late 16th century. The remains of the building stand in a stunning setting above the sheer-side of the land, separated from the mainland by a ditch and approached via a causeay.
Search
Skip search formsSearch for accommodation
Search for attractions
Search for events
Search for activities
Newsletter sign up »
Sign up now to receive regular e-newsletters and be the first to hear about the latest news, exciting events and festivals.
Order a free brochure »
Order Dumfries and Galloway Brochures & Guides, such as the Accommodation Guide, Visitors Guide, Golf Guide, Walking Guide & Cycling Guide.
