Torthorwald Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torthorwald Castle |
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| Torthorwlad, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland UK |
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The castle in 2005
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 Torthorwald Castle
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| Coordinates | 55°05′21″N 3°30′52″W / 55.089191°N 3.51447°W |
| Type | Oblong plan Tower house |
| Height | 60 feet |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | The ruins comprise four phases of building, the earliest from the 14th Century |
| Materials | Stone |
Torthorwald Castle is a large, ruined stone tower in the village of Torthorwald. This village is close to Dumfries in southwest Scotland. The very first castle on this spot was a simple one. It was a "motte-and-bailey" castle, built in the 1100s. This meant it had a mound of earth (the motte) with a wooden tower, and a fenced-in area (the bailey). The stone castle you see today started being built in the 1300s.
History of Torthorwald Castle
Early Owners
Sir David Torthorwald owned the castle first, back in the 1200s. Later, two powerful families used it as their strong home. These were the Kirkpatrick family and the Carlyle family. The Kirkpatricks owned it first. Then, in 1418, it was given to the Carlyles.
Attacks and Changes
In 1544, the castle faced an attack. Michael Lord Carlyle led a raid against his sister-in-law, Jonet Scrimgeour. The castle was damaged during this attack. Jonet Scrimgeour later got the castle back.
In 1609, the castle changed hands again. It passed to the Douglas family of Parkhead through a marriage.
Castle Features
The castle tower has a basement level. Above that is a large hall on the first floor. Both of these areas have arched stone ceilings, which are called "vaults." In one corner, there is a spiral staircase. This "turnpike stair" leads up to the higher floors. It looks like the main entrance to the castle was originally on the first floor.
