Cardoness Castle

Today's the day ..................…. to fortify

Cardoness was built in the late 1400s as a fortified residence for the McCullochs, a wealthy Galloway family with aspirations.

They were already landed gentry in Wigtownshire by the time Gilbert McCulloch acquired Cardoness around 1460, most likely through marriage.  It was a new residence built in the latest fashion - a six-storey tower house.  The simplicity of its outside belies its well-planned interior and quality fixtures. The bottom two floors housed storage, as was usual, plus a two-storey pit prison – one of the best surviving in a Scottish tower house – while the upper floors were for the family.  This would have included a dining hall and the Great Chamber, possibly housing the great four-poster bed.

We'll know more about it soon because we've booked to go on a special 'Castle-visiting Tour' later in the month.  It takes in four of the local castles - and with the help of a guide, will tell us how they all relate to each other.  Should be good ……………………..