Auchen Castle Hotel facts for kids
| Auchen Castle Hotel | |
Quick facts for kids  Auchen Castle Wedding Venue |
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| Hotel facts and statistics | |
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| Location | Beattock, Moffat |
| Coordinates | 55°18′29″N 3°27′29″W / 55.308°N 3.458°W |
| Opening date | 1950s |
| of which suites | 26 |
Auchen Castle is a beautiful castle hotel located near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It's a very special place, mainly used for weddings. With 26 bedrooms, its own private lake, and even a falconry school, it has earned a 5-star rating from the Scottish tourist board. Many famous guests have stayed here, including the Beatles, Barbara Cartland, Margaret Thatcher, and even the King of Norway! It's also a popular spot for celebrity weddings.
Contents
Discover Auchen Castle's Past
How Old is Auchen Castle?
The very first castle on this spot was built way back in 1220. It was built by Sir Humphrey de Kirkpatrick. His family, the Kirkpatricks, were good friends with Robert the Bruce, who was a famous Scottish king. King Robert often visited and was entertained at Auchen Castle.
Who Owned the Castle?
Over time, the Kirkpatrick family moved away. The castle and its lands then became owned by the Clan Johnstone. The Johnstones are still known as the Lords of Annandale today.
The castle you see now was mostly finished in 1849. This was thanks to General Johnstone. Later, through marriage, the castle came into the hands of Sir William Younger, 1st Baronet, of Auchen Castle. He was part of the famous Younger's brewery family.
What Makes it Special?
Auchen Castle still has many of its original features. For example, it uses Victorian-era systems to collect spring water. The castle grounds are also home to many unusual trees and plants. Some of these have been there for centuries and have interesting stories.
Weddings at Auchen Castle
Auchen Castle is one of Scotland's most popular places for weddings. It is used only for these special events.
In 2007, the castle hosted the wedding of model Michelle Marsh to footballer Will Haining. This wedding was even featured in OK! magazine. In 2016, the castle was also featured on ITV's Good Morning Britain. The show broadcast four weddings live from the castle leading up to Valentine's Day.
Exploring Auchen Castle's Design
Why is it Called "Egypt"?
Auchen Castle is famous for its unique architecture and hidden meanings. It even has the nickname "Egypt"! General Johnstone, who rebuilt the castle, fought in Egypt against the French in 1801. People think the castle's design and the way the estate is laid out show how units were positioned in the Battle of the Nile.
What are the Architectural Secrets?
The castle's floor plan has two main sections, or "wings." These wings connect three corners of a special triangle. At each of these corners, there are three rooms that look very similar. Each room has an octagonal (eight-sided) window.
The number three is very important throughout the castle's design.
- At the entrance, there are three steps.
- Two Corinthian pillars lead into the castle.
- The floor inside the entrance has a checkered pattern, which is a symbol of entering a special place.
Opposite the entrance, there are 21 steps. These steps go up a garden shaped like a pyramid. At the top, there are two sphinx statues. If you divide the number of steps (21) by the special number three, you get seven. This number seven is important because it's the number of stages in building a ziggurat. A ziggurat is an ancient type of pyramid.
