Hoddom Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hoddom Castle |
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Hoddom Castle
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| Location | Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland |
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Listed Building – Category A
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| Official name: Hoddom Castle | |
| Designated | 3 August 1971 |
| Reference no. | LB3558 |
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Hoddom Castle is a big, old tower house in southern Scotland. You can find it in Dumfries and Galloway, right by the River Annan. It's about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from both Ecclefechan and Brydekirk. This castle is very important, so it's protected as a special historic building.
Contents
The Story of Hoddom Castle
Early Owners and Building the Tower
The land where Hoddom Castle stands first belonged to the Herries family. They were friends with the Bruce family, who were powerful lords in the Annandale area since 1124. Later, the land passed to the Carruthers family, and then to the Maxwell family.
The main part of the castle is an L-shaped tower house. It was built in the 1500s. Sir John Maxwell likely built it. He became the owner of Hoddom in the mid-1500s when he married Agnes, Lady Herries.
Battles and Changes
After Mary, Queen of Scots, was no longer queen, there were many fights. In 1568, a leader called Regent Moray attacked Hoddom Castle. The castle gave up after ten hours on June 21, 1568.
For a short time, the castle was used by the Scottish border guards. But in 1569, people who supported Queen Mary took it back. The next year, English forces led by Lord Scrope attacked the castle. They blew up the tower.
Repairs and New Owners
The tower was repaired and made bigger in the 1600s. It became a castle with a courtyard. Sir Richard Murray bought it from the 6th Lord Herries. Then, in 1653, the Earl of Southesk owned it. In 1690, the Sharpe family took over the castle.
Around 1826, General Matthew Sharpe asked a famous architect, William Burn, to add modern parts to the castle. These new sections were built on the south and west sides. In 1877, the Brook family bought Hoddom. They also bought Kinmount House nearby. More new parts were added to the north and west sides of the castle. These were designed by architects Wardrop and Anderson.
Modern Times
During the Second World War, the military used Hoddom Castle. After the war, no one lived there again. In the 1970s, most of the parts William Burn had added were taken down.
Today, the castle is part of a caravan park. The parts added in the 1800s are now used as offices. The original tower house is empty and falling apart. It's on a list of buildings that are at risk in Scotland. It's also on a list of castles that could be fixed up. In 2009, plans were approved to fix up the castle. There were also plans to build a hotel, small cabins, and a golf course nearby.
Repentance Tower
The Repentance Tower is a very special watch tower. It was built in the mid-1500s on a nearby hill called Trailtrow Hill. John Maxwell built it in 1565. The tower gets its name from the word 'Repentance' carved above its entrance.
After Scotland and England joined under King James VI (who was also James I of England), the tower was no longer needed as a watch tower. It was then used as a dovecote, a place for pigeons.
