Cardoness Castle stands on a promontory overlooking the Water of Fleet. It was built in the 15th century for the McCullochs, a powerful Galloway family who were frequently in dispute with their neighbours. They built a tower-house comfortable enough for people of their importance but also strong enough to defend during the local feuds they were so often at the centre of.
The tower-house has a vaulted basement that was divided into two floors for storage. Above this is the main hall which has a large fireplace and finely carved cupboards in the walls. Beside the fireplace is a salt-box where salt was stored to keep it dry. The storeys above the hall provided the private lodgings for the family. They have lost their original floors although a wooden floor has been added near the top of the tower so that you can get a better view of the rooms.
Cardoness Castle was abandoned in the late 17th century following the execution of Sir Godfrey McCulloch for the murder of William Gordon of Buck
- Location:
- Just off the A75 1 mile southwest of Gatehouse of Fleet
- Address:
- Cardoness Castle, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries & Galloway, DG7 2EH
- Access:
- Historic Scotland. Open to the public. Entrance fee
- Website:
- For further information visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
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