Castle of St John facts for kids
The Castle of St John, also known as Stranraer Castle, is a cool old building in the middle of Stranraer, a town in southwest Scotland. It's a special type of castle called an L-plan tower house. This means it's a tall, strong house built in the shape of the letter 'L'. It was built around 1510 by a family called the Adairs of Kilhilt, who came from Ireland.
Over the years, this castle has had many different jobs! It was once a family home, a place where court cases were heard, a police station, and even a military base. During the 1680s, it was used by soldiers during a tough time in Scottish history. Later, in the Victorian era (a period in history when Queen Victoria ruled), the castle was changed to be a prison. During the Second World War, it helped protect people as an Air Raid Precautions (ARP) base. The castle got a big makeover in the late 1980s and is now a fun museum where you can learn all about its past.
Contents
Welcome to Stranraer Castle!
Stranraer Castle is a fascinating piece of history right in the heart of Stranraer, Scotland. It's not a huge, sprawling castle like some you might imagine, but a strong and tall building that has seen centuries of change. It stands as a reminder of the past, showing us how people lived and what was important long ago.
What is a Tower House?
A tower house is a type of fortified home that was popular in Scotland and Ireland many centuries ago. Think of it as a tall, strong house that could also defend itself. They were built to be safe places for important families and their belongings. The "L-plan" means the building has two main sections that meet at a right angle, looking like the letter 'L' from above. This design helped make the castle even stronger and easier to defend.
A Look Back in Time: The Castle's History
Stranraer Castle has a long and exciting story, stretching back over 500 years. It was built by the Adair family, who were important people in the area. Imagine living in a castle like this back in the 1500s! It would have been a busy place, full of family members, servants, and visitors.
From Home to Prison: Changing Roles
Over the centuries, the castle changed its purpose many times. After being a family home, it became a place for justice, serving as a court. Later, it was used as a police station, helping to keep the peace in Stranraer. In the 1680s, it became a military base during a time of conflict in Scotland. Soldiers stayed there to help control the area.
Much later, during the Victorian era (from about 1837 to 1901), the castle was changed again. It became a prison, holding people who had broken the law. Then, during the Second World War (1939-1945), it played a role in keeping people safe. It was used as an ARP base, which stands for Air Raid Precautions. This meant it was a place where people could get help and shelter during air raids.
The Castle Today: A Museum
After all its different jobs, Stranraer Castle was carefully fixed up in the late 1980s. Today, it's a wonderful museum where you can explore its rooms and learn about its amazing history. You can see what life was like for the people who lived and worked there, from the Adair family to the soldiers and prisoners. It's a great place to visit and step back in time!
