Lochnaw Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lochnaw Castle |
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| Near Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland UK |
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The tower in 2007
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 Lochnaw Castle
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| Coordinates | 54°55′11″N 5°08′04″W / 54.919786°N 5.134404°W |
| Type | Tower house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Condition | Preserved |
| Site history | |
| Built | 16th century; extended in 17th and 18th centuries |
| Materials | Stone |
Lochnaw Castle is a cool old building in Scotland. It's a type of castle called a tower house, which is a strong, tall home. You can find it about five miles from the town of Stranraer, in a historical area called Wigtownshire. This castle is in a really beautiful spot near a loch (a lake).
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What is Lochnaw Castle?
Lochnaw Castle is mainly a 16th-century tower house. A tower house is a tall, strong building that was used as a home and for defense. The main part of Lochnaw Castle is a square tower with five stories. This tower was part of what people called the "New" Castle.
How Lochnaw Castle Was Built
The castle you see today was built in different stages over many years.
- First Stage: It started as a simple tower house in the 16th century.
- Second Stage: In the 17th and 18th centuries, more living areas were added. These were for everyday life.
- Third Stage: There was also a larger mansion-house built, but it was later taken down.
You can even see a special stone plaque on the southeast wall of the tower that has the date 1486 on it. There used to be a chapel built in 1704, but it was removed around 1953.
The Older Lochnaw Castle
Before the current Lochnaw Castle, there was an even older one! This ruined castle is on an island in the nearby Lochnaw Loch. It was a royal castle, meaning it belonged to the king. In 1363, it was given to a family known as the Clan Agnew.
However, this older castle faced trouble. In 1390, a powerful leader named Archibald The Grim attacked it. After the attack, the castle was taken apart and left in ruins.
Who Owned Lochnaw Castle?
The Agnew family, who once owned the older castle, also owned the "new" Lochnaw Castle for a very long time. They kept it until the end of the 20th century. Today, Lochnaw Castle is a private home. It's still located right by the loch, making it a very special place to live.
