Dumfries Castle facts for kids

Dumfries Castle was a royal castle in Dumfries, Scotland. It was built next to the River Nith, in the area we now call Castledykes Park. This castle played an important part in Scottish history, especially during times of conflict between Scotland and England.

Dumfries Castle: A Royal Story

Dumfries Castle was not just any castle; it was a royal castle, meaning it belonged to the king. It stood proudly by the River Nith, guarding the town of Dumfries. Today, you won't see the castle walls, but the area where it once stood is now a park.

Building a Stronghold

The very first version of Dumfries Castle was built in the 12th century. It was a motte and bailey castle. This was a common type of castle back then, made with a large mound of earth (the "motte") and a fenced-off area (the "bailey"). These early castles were quick to build and offered good protection.

In 1186, King William the Lion made Dumfries a royal burgh. This meant the town was given special rights and privileges by the king, making it an important place for trade and government. The castle helped protect this important new town.

Growing and Changing

The castle grew bigger and stronger over time. In 1214, it was rebuilt using stone. This made it much more durable and harder to attack than the earlier wooden structure. Building with stone showed how important Dumfries Castle was to the Scottish kings.

In 1264, King Alexander III of Scotland visited the castle. He was there to plan an important trip to the Isle of Man. This shows that Dumfries Castle was a key meeting place for royal plans and military strategies.

Times of Conflict

The late 1200s and early 1300s were a time of great struggle between Scotland and England. Dumfries Castle often found itself caught in the middle of these conflicts.

• In 1286, Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale captured the castle.
• From 1298, English forces occupied the castle.
• King Edward I of England even stayed at Dumfries Castle in 1300. This shows how important the castle was to controlling the area.

Robert the Bruce and the Castle's End

One of the most famous figures in Scottish history, Robert the Bruce, played a key role in the castle's story.

• In 1306, Robert the Bruce briefly captured the castle from the English constable, Richard Siward.
• Later, in 1313, Robert the Bruce captured the castle again from the English constable Dungal Macdouall.

After this last capture, it is widely believed that Dumfries Castle was destroyed. This was a common tactic at the time: if a castle was too hard to hold, it was better to destroy it so enemies couldn't use it. The castle was never rebuilt after this, and its ruins slowly disappeared over time. Today, only historical records tell us about this once-important royal stronghold.