Cowthally Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cowthally Castle |
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| Carnwath, Lanarkshire | |
Remains of Cowthally Castle
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 Cowthally Castle
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| Coordinates | 55°42′57″N 3°38′21″W / 55.7159°N 3.6392°W |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Clan Somerville |
| Site history | |
| Built | 12th century |
Cowthally Castle, also called Couthalley, is a castle ruin in Scotland. It is found near Carnwath in Lanarkshire. This old castle is shaped like the letter 'L'. Its remains are now protected as a special historic site.
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What is Cowthally Castle?
Cowthally Castle is a historic building that once stood strong. Today, it is mostly in ruins. It was built a very long time ago. The castle is located in a beautiful part of Scotland. It tells a story of knights, queens, and old Scottish families.
The Castle's Design
Cowthally Castle has an "L-plan" design. This means the main building and a tower wing are joined together. They form the shape of the letter L. This was a popular way to build castles in Scotland. It made them easier to defend.
A Look Back at Cowthally Castle's History
The story of Cowthally Castle goes back many centuries. It was built and changed over hundreds of years. Each change added to its unique history.
Early Days of the Castle
The first parts of Cowthally Castle were built in the 12th century. That's over 800 years ago! It was then rebuilt in 1375. This shows how important the castle was.
The Somerville Family's Home
In 1317, the castle became home to the Somerville family. Sir John Somerville became the owner through marriage. The Somerville family was very powerful. They owned the castle for a long time. They made many changes to it.
Changes and Battles
The castle was made bigger in 1415 and again in 1524. Castles were often updated to be stronger. In 1557, Cowthally Castle was attacked. Parts of it were destroyed during this attack. But it was rebuilt again in 1586. This shows how important it was to its owners.
A Family's Story
The 11th Lord Somerville wrote a book about his family. It was called Memorie of the Somervilles. In this book, he described the castle buildings. This helps us know what the castle looked like long ago.
Famous Visitors to Cowthally Castle
Over the years, many important people visited Cowthally Castle. One very famous visitor was Mary, Queen of Scots.
Mary, Queen of Scots' Visit
Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed at Cowthally Castle. She visited on August 24, 1563. She was the Queen of Scotland at the time. Her visit shows that Cowthally Castle was an important place. It was grand enough to host a queen.
