When I arrived at Kirkcudbright, I immediately noticed the castle. In fact, everyone notices the castle! As we drove down the main street in Kirkcudbright, the prominence of Maclellan’s castle cannot be questioned. It dominates the town centre’s skyline.
MacLellan’s Castle
MacLellan’s Castle
MacLellan’s Castle is now a ruin but was once a 16th-century tower house and residence of the MacLellan family. It was built by the family to demonstrate nothing other than their wealth. It puts a whole new meaning to the term ”if you got it, flaunt it”. I think that objective was met. Adjacent to the castle is Kirkcudbright war memorial.
Kirkcudbright war memorial commemorates the men of the Scottish town of Kirkcudbright killed during the First and Second World Wars. It is situated in front of the 16th-century MacLellan’s Castle and shows a seated warrior with a sword and shield with a sleeping child on his knee. The memorial was designed by George Henry Paulin and erected in 1921 to commemorate the men lost during the First World War. Additional plaques were added following the Second World War. Source: Wikipedia
MacLellan’s Castle is like a homing beacon. Regardless of where you are in the town, you can be assured of the direction of the town centre by finding the castle. It is an iconic structure which symbolises the town’s rich and colourful history.
Kirkcudbright Castle
Almost hidden within the town, there is the ancient site of the 12th Century Kirkcudbright Castle. It is located on the banks of the River Dee [now Castledykes Road].
There is a plaque describing what once was an important historical structure. The plaque reads:
In 1300, King Edward I of England launched an invasion of south-west Scotland, his army marching here John Comyn and the Earl of Buchan, whose sheriffdom had been based at Kirkcudbright, attempted to make a deal with Edward, but were rebuffed. After his stay here, Edward and his forces continued their westerly progress. The Earl of Buchan regathered his forces and faced the English across the estuary on the River Cree.
Other than these few small remnants of once a grand structure, the ancient castle grounds are a compilation of mounds with long sweeping grass that certainly fills the imagination.
It was a great place to get lost in.
© The Scottish Pearl 2023