Lochmaben Castle, Dumfries - Wee Guides to Scotland castles and mansions

Wee Guides to Scotland
Lochmaben Castle

Goblinshead

130 Inveresk Rd
Musselburgh
EH21 7AY
SCOTLAND

Once an important and powerful castle, Lochmaben Castle consists of a complex of very ruined buildings, dating in part from the 13th century, with a 15th-century keep and later additions. It had a strong curtain wall, and was surrounded by a moat. An older castle, of which only a motte survives, may be where Robert the Bruce, later Robert I, King of Scots, was born. In 1298 Edward I of England chose a stronger site to build a castle. The castle was strengthened after being besieged by Robert the Bruce in 1299, and it was attacked again by the Scots in 1301. It was seized by Bruce in 1306, was recovered by the English, but was finally surrendered to the Scots in 1314 after the Battle of Bannockburn. It was held by the English from 1333 until 1384, when it was taken by Archibald the Grim, the Douglas Lord of Galloway. In 1542 it was where the Scottish army was mustered by James V before going on to defeat at Solway Moss. Mary, Queen of Scots, and Darnley attended a banquet here in 1565. In 1588 James VI besieged and captured the castle from the Maxwells. The castle was then abandoned and became ruinous.

Directions:	Off B7020, 0.5 miles S of Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire.
Ownership:	HS		Ord. Survey Map Ref:	NY 088812 78
Open:	Open all year.
Key:	P	Click Here for explanation of Key and other abreviations

Fax:+44 (0) 131 653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk