Orchardton Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orchardton |
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Orchardton viewed from the North West
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 Orchardton
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| Coordinates | 54°51′33″N 3°51′15″W / 54.859222°N 3.854173°W |
Orchardton Castle is a beautiful mansion in Scotland. It is found in Auchencairn, a village in Dumfries and Galloway. The castle overlooks the Solway Firth, a large bay. From here, you can see across to Cumbria in England and Hestan Island.
This grand building is designed in the Scottish Baronial style. This style is known for its castle-like features. It makes Orchardton Castle look like a historic fortress.
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Discovering Orchardton Castle's Past
Orchardton Castle has a long and interesting history. It was built on the site of an older house. The current castle dates back to the 1880s.
How Orchardton Castle Was Built
The castle was built by William Douglas Robinson-Douglas. He started building it in 1878. The design was in the Scottish Baronial style. This style was very popular for large homes at the time.
Before this, a smaller mansion stood on the same spot. That house was started around 1769. Sir Robert Maxwell, 7th Baronet of Orchardton, began its construction. He even used stones and roof timbers from the nearby Orchardton Tower. He wanted to build a new home closer to the sea. However, building the house cost him a lot of money.
In 1786, the estate was bought by James Douglas. He was a merchant from Liverpool. The property stayed in his family. Eventually, it passed to William Douglas Robinson-Douglas. He then began to rebuild the grand castle we see today.
Orchardton Castle Through the Years
Orchardton Castle has been used for many different things. In 1944, during World War II, it became a military hospital. It cared for officers who were injured.
After the war, the castle became a hotel. It welcomed guests until 1960. From 1960 to 1981, Orchardton Castle was a school. Many students learned and lived there.
Later, it was used for special courses and meetings. It also provided homes for artists. In 2003, the property was sold again. The new owner, Susanda DeVere, spent two years making it new. She added central heating and updated the electrical system.
Recent Events at Orchardton Castle
In 2012, the owners faced a challenge while trying to sell the property. They had a problem with a dishonest person. This person caused issues for them.
In late 2017, the owners tried a new way to sell the castle. They offered it in a lottery. Tickets cost £5 each. However, not enough tickets were sold. So, a cash prize was offered instead. There was a complaint about the competition. The advertising authority ruled against it. The owner disagreed with this decision. The Gambling Commission and many people who entered the competition supported her. No legal case was ever brought against the competition.
Exploring Orchardton Castle's Features
Orchardton Castle is a very large building. It has many rooms and beautiful grounds.
Inside the Castle
The castle has about 48 rooms in total. This includes 17 bedrooms. There are also three separate apartments. For entertainment, there is a cinema. The castle also has several libraries. Outside, you can find a sauna.
The Castle Grounds
The grounds around Orchardton Castle cover about 5 acres (2 hectares). They are home to many special plants and trees. You can even find a palm tree growing there!
The gardens are also visited by many animals. You might see pheasants, rabbits, and deer. Peacocks also often roam the grounds.
