Buittle Castle facts for kids
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Buittle Castle, sometimes called Botle Castle, is a very old castle in Galloway, south-west Scotland. It sits near the River Urr, about 1 kilometer west of Dalbeattie. This castle is a protected historical site, meaning it's very important to Scotland's past.
Castle History
The story of Buittle Castle began in the 12th century. An early type of castle, called a motte and bailey, was built by Roland, Lord of Galloway. This was a simple castle with a mound (motte) and a fenced yard (bailey). It was located about half a mile upstream from where the main stone castle stands today.
Later, the castle became part of the Balliol family when Dervorguilla of Galloway married John de Balliol. Dervorguilla was a very important lady who helped build the stronger, stone castle we see ruins of today.
Over the years, Buittle Castle was often fought over. In 1286, Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale, captured it. By 1296, it was held by English forces. But in 1313, the famous Scottish king, Robert the Bruce, took it back! He then gave the castle to Sir James Douglas, Lord of Douglas.
The castle changed hands again in 1332, going to Edward Balliol. However, by 1372, it was given to Archibald the Grim, a powerful Scottish noble. The Douglas family kept the castle until 1456, when it went back to the Scottish Crown. Later, other important families like the Maxwells and the Gordons owned it.
In 1595, parts of the castle were purposely destroyed, a process called "slighting." This was often done to prevent enemies from using it. After this, large parts of the castle, especially the original motte, became ruins.
The ruins stayed with the Maxwells of Munches until 1984. Then, they were given as a gift to Balliol College in Oxford, England, by Peter Maxwell, who had studied there.
Buittle Tower
The Old Place of Buittle, also known as Buittle Tower, is a fortified house built in the late 1500s. It had more parts added in the 1600s.
Around 1790, the tower was just a roofless ruin. But in the mid-1800s, it got a new roof and was used as homes for farm workers. It became part of the nearby Munches estate.
Today, the buildings include a courtyard where the castle's inner area used to be. This courtyard has workshops for the Buittle Craft Guild, a printing office, and a chapel that was once an outbuilding. The main part is an L-shaped tower house.
The tower is also home to the Botel Abbey, which is part of the Russian Orthodox church. Priests hold regular services there. In September 2019, the abbot, Father James Alexei Cavendish, became a Bishop.
