Liddel Castle facts for kids
Liddel Castle is an old, ruined castle located in Liddesdale, a beautiful area in the Scottish Borders of Scotland. It sits right by the Liddel Water river, close to the village of Castleton. Today, Liddel Castle is a scheduled monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by law.
The Story of Liddel Castle
Building the Castle
Liddel Castle was first built in the 12th century, which means the 1100s! It was a "motte and bailey" castle. This type of castle had a large mound of earth (the motte) with a wooden tower on top. Below it was a walled courtyard (the bailey) where people lived and worked.
A man named Ranulf I de Soules built this castle. He was given the land, known as the Lordship of Liddesdale, by David I of Scotland, who was the King of Scotland at the time.
Where it Stood
The castle was built on a high piece of land, like a small cliff, overlooking the east bank of the Liddel Water river. It was also protected on two sides by a stream called Kirk Cleuch Burn. This made it a strong place to defend. Liddel Castle was likely the main home and center for the whole area, known as a barony.
Later Years and Abandonment
During the late 1200s, Scotland was involved in a long fight for its independence from England. These were called the Scottish Wars of Independence.
The English king, Edward I of England, visited Liddel Castle twice during these wars, once in 1296 and again in 1298. However, it seems the castle was not used much after that. By the early 1300s, it was likely left empty and fell into ruin. Today, only the earthworks, which are the remains of the original mounds and ditches, can be seen.
