Old Kincardine Castle, Auchterarder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Kincardine Castle |
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 Old Kincardine Castle
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| Coordinates | 56°16′46″N 3°42′06″W / 56.279444°N 3.701667°W |
| Site information | |
| Condition | ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | 13th century |
| Demolished | 1645 |
Old Kincardine Castle was a fortress built in the 1200s. It was located near Auchterarder in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. The castle stood on a high piece of land, looking over a valley. A knight named Sir David de Graham started building it after he was given the land. The castle was shaped like a square and had a ditch filled with water (a moat) all around it.
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The Story of Old Kincardine Castle
Building a Stronghold
Old Kincardine Castle was built in the 13th century. This was a time when castles were very important for protection. Sir David de Graham of Cardross began its construction. He had received the land from the Earl of Strathearn. The castle's design, a quadrangle with a moat, made it strong.
Royal Visits and Big Events
Old Kincardine Castle saw many important visitors. In 1562, Mary, Queen of Scotland, stayed there during a trip. Later, in 1579, John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl, a powerful Scottish leader, also stayed at the castle. Sadly, he became ill and died there.
The Castle's Final Days
The castle faced a tough challenge during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. This was a series of conflicts in the mid-1600s. Forces led by John Middleton attacked the castle. They fired cannons at it for ten days. The people inside the castle fought bravely. However, the castle's water well stopped working. This forced the defenders to give up.
In 1645, the castle was taken apart by Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll. Today, only small pieces of the original castle remain. In 1660, its stones were used to build a new church in Auchterarder. A new castle, called Kincardine Castle, was built nearby in the 1800s.
