Caerlaverock Castle, Glencaple (Scotland)
Caerlaverock Castle is the epitome of the medieval stronghold
Summary
- Gift shop
- Information provided
- Free car parking (on site)
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Food and Drinks
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Introduction
Caerlaverock Castle is one of Scotland’s great medieval fortresses. For 400 years it stood on the very edge of the kingdom. To the south, across the Solway Firth, lay England. For most of its history, Caerlaverock played an important role in the defence of the realm.
Caerlaverock’s triangular shape is unique among British castles. Why it was built this way is not known. A walk around the castle gives a sense of its strength, its economy of form and its pleasing geometry. Three lengths of defensive curtain wall are linked at their three angles by high corner towers. The north tower, facing into Scotland, is a mightily impressive twin-towered gatehouse, where the Maxwells had their private suite of rooms.
History to the present day
Long before the castle was built, the Romans built a fort on the summit of Ward Law Hill, overlooking the castle from the north. By about 950, the British lords of ‘Karlauerock’ (the name may mean ’fort of the skylark’) had built a fort on the site. Around 1220, Alexander II of Scotland, needing trusted men to secure the Scottish West March, granted the estate to his chamberlain, Sir John de Maccuswell (Maxwell). Sir John built the ‘old’ castle. Within 50 years, his nephew, Sir Herbert, had moved to a new castle just 200m away to the north. There the Maxwell lords remained for the next 400 years.
Down the years the Maxwells repaired and upgraded their ancestral castle. The formidably impressive slotted defences (machicolations) at the tops of the three towers date from the late 14th/early 15th century, after the ravages of the Wars of Independence with England had taken their toll. Inside the castle walls stands the remarkable Nithsdale Lodging, built in the 1630s by Robert Maxwell, 1st Earl of Nithsdale. Its attractive façade, embellished with ornate Renaissance stone carvings, contrasts wonderfully with the severity of the ancient castle walls.
Caerlaverock was besieged and captured on numerous occasions. However, two sieges stand out.
The first, in July 1300, involved Edward I of England in person. He brought the full might of his army to bear on the stronghold, and the small garrison surrendered within two days. The contemporary account of that siege is one of the most fascinating recorded for any castle in the British Isles.
The second siege, in 1640, was the castle’s last. It was brought about by Lord Maxwell’s adherence to Charles I in that monarch’s struggles with the Covenanters (religious dissenters). On that occasion the garrison held out for 13 weeks before surrendering. Following the siege, the castle was stripped of all its valuable fixtures and fittings, and the great south curtain wall was demolished to render the building useless as a place of defence.
Food and Drinks
The tearoom is situated within the visitor centre in the grounds of Caerlaverock Castle and is open daily during summer months and open weekends only in the winter (and offers a reduced winter menu).
Other facilities
Today visitors can enjoy a siege warfare exhibition, a children’s adventure park and trail as well as a nature walk leading to an earlier castle in the woods. There are beautiful walks through ancient coppiced woodland and wetland, home to the Natterjack toad. The footpaths continue through to the adjacent National Nature Reserve.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Caerlaverock Castle, Glencaple, Scotland, , United Kingdom
Opening times:
1 April - 30 September: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 9.30am to 5.30pm
1 October - 31 March: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 9.30am to 4.30pm
Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Admission prices:
Adult £5.20, Child £3.10, Concession £4.20
Public Transport: From train station walk to Leafield Road. Take Stagecoach Western no 371 to Caerlaverrock (22 mins). Walk down drive from road end to castle (5 mins).
