Leuchars Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leuchars Castle |
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The surviving castle doocot
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 Leuchars Castle
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| Coordinates | 56°23′11″N 2°53′06″W / 56.3865°N 2.8851°W |
Leuchars Castle was an important castle in Fife, Scotland. It stood near the town of Leuchars. This castle played a role in Scottish history for many centuries.
Contents
Leuchars Castle's History
Early Days of the Castle
In the 1100s, a "motte and bailey" castle was built here. This was a simple type of castle. It had a raised earth mound (the motte) and a fenced yard (the bailey). Around this time, the area of Leuchars became a "barony." This meant it was a special area ruled by a baron. This happened during the time of King William the Lion.
Later, in the 1200s, the castle was rebuilt. This time, it was made from strong stone.
Attacks and Rebuilding
Leuchars Castle faced many attacks over the years. In 1327, English forces attacked the castle. They "slighted" it, which means they damaged it on purpose. This was done to make it unusable for defense.
In 1337, the castle was attacked again. This time, Scottish forces led by Sir Andrew Murray surrounded it. The English soldiers inside the castle had to give up. They "surrendered" to Sir Andrew Murray.
The castle was rebuilt in the 1500s. But sadly, it was completely taken down in the 1900s.
The Surviving Doocot
Today, most of Leuchars Castle is gone. But one interesting part still stands. It is a building called a "doocot" (or dovecote). This was a special building where pigeons were kept. Pigeons were an important source of food.
This doocot is very old and important. It is listed as a "category A listed building." This means it is a building of special historical interest. It is also on the "Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland." This list helps keep track of important old buildings that need care.
