Rutherglen Castle facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Rutherglen Castle was once a very important building in Rutherglen, Scotland. It stood where Castle Street and King Street meet today. This big castle was built way back in the 1200s. People said its walls were super thick, about 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide!

James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray ordered the castle's destruction

During the First War of Scottish Independence, the English army took control of Rutherglen Castle. Later, a famous Scottish king, Robert The Bruce, tried many times to get it back. He surrounded the castle and attacked it.

His brother, Edward Bruce, finally recaptured the castle for Scotland. Even though many other castles were destroyed after being taken back from the English, Rutherglen Castle was saved.

A plaque on a building marks where the castle once stood

However, the castle didn't last forever. In 1569, a powerful leader named James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, ordered the castle to be burned down. He did this to punish the Hamilton family from Shawfield. The Hamiltons had supported Mary, Queen of Scots, in a battle called the Battle of Langside.

Today, Rutherglen Castle is gone, but its history lives on in the town.

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