Threave Castle, Castle Douglas (Dumfriesshire)

14 century tower

Summary 13th century buildings (or older) Public car parking for a charge (nearby)

Food and Drinks Picnic area

Introduction

Threave Castle, a massive 14th-century tower built by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway, third Earl of Douglas. It has at its base an artillery fortification built before 1455 when James II besieged the castle.

Open Apr-Oct, daily 10.30 am-5 pm.
 

History to the present day

Legend tells that Threave Island was the home of the ancient rulers of Galloway a thousand years ago. Today there is no trace of their fortress. The tall, forbidding tower that now dominates the island was built for Sir Archibald Douglas in 1369. He had recently become Lord of Galloway, but is better known to history as Archibald ‘the Grim’. By the time he died at Threave in 1400, he had become the 3rd Earl of Black Douglas, and was the most powerful magnate in southern Scotland.

Half a century later, when James II took steps to overthrow the over-mighty Black Douglases, it was Threave that staged the final act in the drama. After a two-month-long siege, the island stronghold reverted to the Crown and thereafter played only a relatively minor part in Scotland’s history.

Archibald Douglas was one of the great figures in late-14th-century Scotland. His natural father, ‘the Good Sir James’ of Douglas, had been King Robert Bruce’s dearest friend during the bloody Wars of Independence with England. Archibald carried on where his father left off, fighting the English and eventually forcing them out of Lochmaben Castle, their last remaining toehold in the Scottish West March. It was the English who named him ‘the Grim’, because of his terrifying appearance when in battle.

Archibald was actually given the Lordship of Galloway by Bruce’s son, David II. He was installed there specifically to tackle another enemy, the men of Galloway, who had long been thorns in the flesh of Scotland’s kings. By the time of his death in 1400, he had pacified not only the English but the Gallovidians too.Archibald’s castle comprised a tall tower house almost 100ft (30m) high, surrounded by a large complex of other buildings. The latter have now all gone but substantial remains of them were found during excavations in the 1970s. They included an outer hall, where Archibald held court, additional living quarters for retainers, etc, and a harbour.

The tower house, one of the first of its type built in Scotland, was five storeys high, and housed storage and service accommodation in the lower floors, with Archibald’s private suite of rooms above. The walls were 10ft (3m) thick, with only small windows facing the island. The battlements presented a formidable defence, with an overhanging timber hoarding enabling the garrison to keep attackers at bay.

By 1450 the Black Douglases were so powerful they had to be removed. The 8th Earl of Douglas took precautionary measures to defend himself. He demolished all the ancillary buildings to make way for a purpose-built artillery wall.
This ‘state-of-the-art’ defence still survives. It succeeded in keeping James II at bay during the siege of 1455: the garrison surrendered only after being bribed by the king.

 

Grounds and gardens

A path and steep steps lead to a small boat making it unsuitable for visitors using a wheelchair. After a short boat trip, more mobile visitors can visit the ticket office and curtain wall. The castle has steep steps inside and out.
 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Threave Castle, Dumfriesshire, , United Kingdom

Parking available 2 km from the boat dock.

Regular train to Dumfries. From outside railway station take MacEwans Coaches No 502 (Kirkcudbright) to Castle Douglas Rhonehouse Road End junction (40 min). Walk to Threave Castle (11 min).