
What is recorded here
Threave Castle stands as a ruined tower house on an island in the River Dee, built in the 1370s by Archibald the Grim for the Black Douglases. James II besieged and captured the stronghold in 1455 after the powerful family fell from favour, turning a private lord's seat into a royal castle. The island has burned and broken before, perhaps when Edward Bruce attacked it in 1308, so the stones have always belonged to somebody else's anger.
Scotland's National Record of the Historic Environment records Threave Castle as Artillery Fortification (15th Century), Castle (medieval), Harbour (14th Century). The official map says its point is accurate as follows: NGR given to the nearest 1m. The record does not by itself mean that the public may enter the place.
Threave Castle was built by the Maxwell family in the 13th century and later expanded in the 15th century. It is important as a strategic stronghold on the River Dee, reflecting the region's turbulent history and the power struggles between Scottish and English forces.
The historic-place record does not grant public access. Check current conditions and ownership before entering land or a building.
Places near here
Threave IslandPlatform (period Unassigned) · 79 yd
Threave Island, Stepping StonesStepping Stones (period Unassigned) · 268 yd
Little Wood HillCairn (period Unassigned)(possible), Platform (period Unassigned) · 401 yd
Bird HideViewpoint · 451 yd
Black BridgeBuilding (period Unassigned) · 1102 yd
Ducking IslandWood · 1.5 mi
War MemorialMemorial · 1.8 mi
Garden HillMountain / peak · 2.0 mi
DrumskellyNo Class (event) (21st Century) · 2.2 mi
Ernespie HillMountain / peak · 2.3 mi
AuchlaneCastle (medieval)(possible), Moat (medieval) · 2.4 mi
Torglass WoodWood · 3.8 miOther information
Photo: Billy McCrorie · CC BY-SA 2.0