MacLellan's Castle facts for kids
MacLellan's Castle is an old castle in the town of Kirkcudbright, Scotland. It was built a long time ago, in the late 1500s. You can find it right in the middle of Kirkcudbright, near the River Dee. This river flows into the Solway Firth. The castle was the home of the MacLellan family, which is where it got its name. The family sold the castle in 1752. From 1782 to 1912, it belonged to the Earls of Selkirk. Today, Historic Environment Scotland looks after this important historic site.
History of the Castle
In 1569, a man named Thomas MacLellan of Bombie received the land where an old monastery once stood in Kirkcudbright. This monastery, built around 1455, was mostly taken down. Only its chapel remained, which is now called Greyfriars Church.
Thomas MacLellan started building his new castle around 1577. Many people believe the main work was done by 1582, because that year is carved into a stone above the entrance. The castle was never fully finished, but it was home to the MacLellan family for many years.
By 1752, the castle was in ruins, and its roof had fallen in. The MacLellan family sold it to Sir Robert Maxwell. Thirty years later, Maxwell sold it to the Earl of Selkirk.
In 1887, some writers described the castle as looking like a "huge haystack" because it was covered in lots of ivy! But they also said that, apart from the roof, the building was in good condition.
Scotland started caring more about its historic buildings in the early 1900s. MacLellan's Castle was one of many important places taken into state care. It was handed over in 1912 and is now looked after by Historic Environment Scotland.
Castle Design
MacLellan's Castle has a special shape called an L-plan. This means it has two main parts that meet at a right angle, like the letter 'L'. This type of tower house was very common in Scotland between 1540 and 1680.
One part of the castle runs north to south, and the other runs east to west. They join together in the southwest corner. The castle also has an extra tower and some parts that stick out where the two wings meet.
The castle has four floors. On the ground floor, there was a kitchen. The first floor had a large room called the great hall, where guests would be entertained. The upper floors were likely used for sleeping and living.
A cool secret feature of the castle is the "Laird's Lug." This was a small hidden room behind the fireplace in the great hall. From this room, someone could listen in on conversations happening in the hall through a peephole. This was a clever way for the castle owner (the Laird) to hear what people were saying!
You entered the castle at the inner corner where the two wings joined. Above the main doorway, there's a stone panel with carvings. It shows the coats of arms (family symbols) of Thomas MacLellan, who built the castle, and his wife, G. Maxwell.
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The great hall, where people gathered.
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The main entrance of the castle.
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The kitchens, where food was prepared.
Images for kids
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MacLellan's Castle was covered in ivy in the 19th century.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo MacLellan para niños
