On my way back from a trip to Dumfries and Galloway I decided to visit Caerlaverock Castle. Over the years I have visited many castles and Caerlaverock is my favourite.
There are two castles at Caerlaverock: the original castle was built around 1220AD based on an old fort dating from 950AD. The old castle as it is now known was built close to the shore and harbour, which has dried up as the shore has moved further away.
There are two castles at Caerlaverock: the original castle was built around 1220AD based on an old fort dating from 950AD. The old castle as it is now known was built close to the shore and harbour, which has dried up as the shore has moved further away.
The photo above shows the old castle had a relatively small inner bailey with just a few buildings as there was a much larger outer bailey. The Maxwell family who built and inhabited the old castle found it too small, the soft ground caused structual problems and the site kept flooding and after fifty years they moved about 200m further inland to the new Caerlaverock Castle.
Built in the vernacular red sandstone of Dumfriesshire, Caerlaverock is an impressive unique triangular castle. It has four round towers built into the curtain wall, two towers form the gatehouse pictured below, and a moat with a bank and outer ditch.
Positioned on the Solway Firth close to England, Caerlaverock was frequently attacked. In 1300 there was a well documented seige written by a herald of Edward I when seige engines demolished large parts of the castle. The Maxwell family rebuilt Caerlaverock, with better defenses and improved domestic ranges.
The Nithsdale Lodging has some amazing stone carving and fabulous fireplaces.
In 1640 Caerlaverock was under seige for the final time and after the seige The Covenanters demolished parts of the castle to ensure it could not stand again.
The facade of the Nithsdale Lodgings.
The damage done by The Covenanters
View from the top of the tower, complete with spiral staircase, towards the old castle and shore.
Through the anceint woods towards the old castle.
View across the Solway from the shore.
I really enjoyed visiting Caerlaverock Castle, I have visited a few times before. I have been busy with my house and wool recently but this visit really inspired my to visit some more heritage sites, some of my favourites places are Threave Castle, Byland Abbey and Cardoness Castle.
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