Strathaven Castle facts for kids
Strathaven Castle is an old castle ruin in the middle of the small town of Strathaven, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. You can visit the ruins, which are also known as Avondale Castle. Today, it is a protected historical site called a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
History of Strathaven Castle
Who Built Strathaven Castle?
No one is completely sure when Strathaven Castle was first built. Historians think it was around 1350. The Baird family likely built it near the Powmillon Burn. Later, the castle belonged to the Sinclair family and then to the powerful Douglas family.
When Was Strathaven Castle Attacked?
In 1455, King James II defeated the Douglas family. After this, Strathaven Castle was attacked and partly destroyed. This was done to make sure it could not be used against the King again. Not much of this first castle remains today.
Who Rebuilt the Castle?
In 1457, the castle was given to Sir Andrew Stewart. He was a relative of the royal family. Sir Andrew, who later became Lord Avondale, either rebuilt the old castle or built a new one on the same spot.
Later, in 1534, the castle went to Sir James Hamilton of Finnart. He made the castle bigger. In 1559, a letter mentioned that Patrick Buchanan, a famous teacher, taught the children of Regent Arran at Strathaven. Regent Arran was a very important leader in Scotland at that time.
When Was Strathaven Castle Abandoned?
The castle changed owners one last time in 1611. It was sold to the Hamilton family. The last person to live there was Anne, Duchess of Hamilton. Her main home was Hamilton Palace. Strathaven Castle was left empty in 1717 and has been a ruin ever since.
Exploring Strathaven Castle
Where is the Castle Built?
Strathaven Castle stands on a rocky hill. This hill was partly made by people. The castle was protected on three sides by the steep banks of the Powmillon Burn. A strong wall, called a barmkin, once surrounded the top of the hill. You can still see parts of this wall today.
What Does the Castle Look Like Now?
The castle was a large rectangular building with three floors. It was about 11 meters wide and 21 meters long. It also had a round tower with four floors at one corner and a small wing sticking out at another. Today, most of the north wall and the tower are still standing. Some parts of the other walls also remain. Inside, you can see what's left of a collapsed basement.
Some parts of the castle have been filled with modern concrete. This makes it hard to see all the original details. However, you can still spot some old stone carvings from the 1400s. The round tower has wide openings for cannons. It was likely added in the 1500s.
The Legend of the Walled-Up Wife
There is a local story about Strathaven Castle. It says that when part of the castle walls fell down, a human skeleton was found. An information sign outside the castle tells the full tale:
"People say that the wife of a lord who lived here long ago made her husband very angry. He had her walled up alive inside the castle wall. No one knows what her crime was. The story says she was led into a small space, blessed by a priest, given food and water, and then walled up forever. When a part of the walls fell down in the mid-1800s, human bones were found. This made many people believe the story."
Are There Secret Tunnels?
The information sign also mentions a local belief that secret tunnels run from the castle. These tunnels are said to go to places like Sweetie's Brae and Mill Brae. However, when the road below the castle was built, no signs of these tunnels were ever found.
Images for kids
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Strathaven Castle above the A71.
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Strathaven Castle's west tower.
