Torthorwald Castle
Encyclopedia
Torthorwald Castle is a large ruined rectangular tower at the center of the village of Torthorwald
just outside Dumfries
and Galloway
in south west Scotland
. The first castle
on the site was an earthwork
motte-and-bailey
built in the 12th century. The earliest building which forms part of the current ruins was built in the 14th century.
Torthorwald Castle was originally owned by Sir David Torthorwald in the 13th Century. The castle has served as a stronghold for the Kirkpatrick and Carlyle families. It was first handed to the Kirkpatricks and then in 1418 to the Carlyles. In 1544 it was attacked by Lord Carlyle and sacked, in his raid against his sister-in-law. In 1609 the castle passed by marriage to the Douglases of Parkhead.
The basement and first floor hall of this tower are vaulted and in one corner is a turnpike stair that leads to the upper floors. It appears that the original entrance was on the first floor.
Overview of Torthorwald
Torthorwald Castle, Dumfries and Galloway
Torthorwald
Torthorwald is a village in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. It is located east of Dumfries on the A709 road to Lochmaben.The area was the property of the de Torthorwald family until the end of the 13th century, when the estate passed by marriage to the Kirkpatricks. In 1418, William de...
just outside Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
and Galloway
Galloway
Galloway is an area in southwestern Scotland. It usually refers to the former counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire...
in south west Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The first castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
on the site was an earthwork
Earthworks (archaeology)
In archaeology, earthwork is a general term to describe artificial changes in land level. Earthworks are often known colloquially as 'lumps and bumps'. Earthworks can themselves be archaeological features or they can show features beneath the surface...
motte-and-bailey
Motte-and-bailey
A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade...
built in the 12th century. The earliest building which forms part of the current ruins was built in the 14th century.
Torthorwald Castle was originally owned by Sir David Torthorwald in the 13th Century. The castle has served as a stronghold for the Kirkpatrick and Carlyle families. It was first handed to the Kirkpatricks and then in 1418 to the Carlyles. In 1544 it was attacked by Lord Carlyle and sacked, in his raid against his sister-in-law. In 1609 the castle passed by marriage to the Douglases of Parkhead.
The basement and first floor hall of this tower are vaulted and in one corner is a turnpike stair that leads to the upper floors. It appears that the original entrance was on the first floor.
External links
Torthorwald Castle at castleuk.netOverview of Torthorwald
Torthorwald Castle, Dumfries and Galloway