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Location
Lochmaben, near Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Description
Lochmaben Castle is located four miles west of Lockerbie, in Dumfries and Galloway. The castle originally had two walled courtyards separated by a canal which acted as a moat and a boat harbour. The main castle building was a large square stone structure with walls that bridged the canal. The ruins include a massive stone defensive wall 12m high. Parts of the wall remains cross the deep water filled moat. North of the main wall are remains of other stone structures, some overgrown by ivy. The castle is now under control of Historic Scotland.
History
The Bruce family built the original castle at Lochmaben in the 13th century. The castle was captured by King Edward of England who started building a new castle around 1300. This second castle was built on a promontory projecting north from the shore of Castle Loch, a mile south of Lochmaben town. Only the motte of the first castle remains, and is located on the present golf course. The ruins of the second castle are still there today. Lochmaben Castle was captured by the Scots under Robert the Bruce in 1306, recaptured by the English, and taken back again by the Scots after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. It changed hands between the English and Scots a few more times. James II took control of the castle when he destroyed the Black Douglas family in 1455. The castle was extensively rebuilt during the reign of James IV. Mary Queen of Scots stayed at Lochmaben Castle in 1565. The castle was finally dismantled after its capture by King James VI in 1588. Lochmaben Castle was abandoned and fell into disrepair.
Other Castles in the Area
Auchen Castle, Dumfries and Galloway
Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries and Galloway
Comlongon Castle, Dumfries and Galloway
Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries and Galloway
Edingham Castle, Dumfries And Galloway
Kirkconnell Tower, Dumfries and Galloway
Lochhouse Tower, Dumfries and Galloway
Lochwood Castle, Dumfries and Galloway
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