Auchen Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Auchen Castle |
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| Near Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland UK |
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The remains of the castle in 2008
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 Auchen Castle
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| Coordinates | 55°19′01″N 3°28′33″W / 55.31706°N 3.475865°W |
| Type | Courtyard Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private |
| Controlled by | Roger de Kirkpatrick (1306) |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | Late 13th Century; rebuilt 14th Century; converted in 15th/16th Century |
| Materials | Stone |
Auchen Castle is an old castle near Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It was built a long time ago, in the 1200s. Today, it is mostly in ruins, but it is still an important historical site. It became a protected ancient monument in 1937.
Contents
History of Auchen Castle
Who Built Auchen Castle?
The Kirkpatrick family likely built Auchen Castle. They probably started building it in the early to mid-1200s. It might have replaced an older, simpler castle nearby. This older castle was a motte-and-bailey type. That means it had a raised earth mound (the motte) and a fenced yard (the bailey).
The castle was built to control the area. It watched over the River Annan valley and a deep valley called Garpol Burn. The first official record of the castle is from 1306. It mentions Sir Roger de Kirkpatrick and a loan he made.
Who Owned the Castle?
After Sir Roger de Kirkpatrick died in 1313, the castle's ownership changed. It seems to have gone to Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray. However, what happened after his death in 1332 is not clear.
By the 1400s, the castle belonged to the Douglasses of Morton. Later, it passed to the Johnstones of Corehead. This might have happened during King James II's fight against the Douglasses.
How the Castle Looked and Changed
When it was first built, Auchen Castle was a four-sided building. It had an entrance on its north side. There was a round tower, called a bastion, at the northwest corner. A garderobe (a medieval toilet) was in the east wall.
A wide ditch protected the castle walls. On the north side, a path crossed over two connected fish ponds. Later, the entrance was made stronger. A special winding path, called a pend, was added.
In the late 1400s or early 1500s, the castle was changed. It was made ready to defend against cannons. The walls were made lower and stronger with stone and earth.
Life at the Castle
We know a little about what was inside the castle in 1483. An inventory (a list of belongings) was made for James Douglas of "Auchencassill." It included things like:
- A folding table
- A horse
- A special cup and decorations for an altar
- A sword
- A feather bed with curtains and a canopy
- Decorations for the hall
- A cushion
- A silver salt shaker and spoon
- Kitchen items
- A tool for catching eels
These items were later claimed by William Douglas of Drumlanrig. He was James Douglas's heir.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo Auchen para niños
