Cardoness Castle

A family home, Cardoness Castle was built primarily as a family residence for a well-to-do Galloway family with aspirations. The McCullochs were already substantial landed gentry in Wigtownshire by the time Gilbert McCulloch acquired Cardoness, probably through marriage, around 1460. It overlooks the Water of Fleet near Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries & Galloway (SW Scotland) with views to the Solway beyond.

Cardoness Castle is a fine example of a Scottish tower-house castle. It was built in the later 15th century as the fortified residence of the McCullochs. They were a prominent Galloway family, who rubbed shoulders with royalty. But they were also noted for their lawlessness, even against their own. In 1501, Ninian McCulloch of Cardoness was prosecuted for breaking into a barn and stealing 1,500 assorted beasts - the property of his own mother!

The McCullochs were particularly noted for their long and bitter feud with their neighbours, the Gordons. This ultimately led to their downfall. In the 17th century, they were forced out of Cardoness. They didn't go quietly. Alexander McCulloch and his son, Godfrey, both committed murderous acts against the Gordons. Young Godfrey was eventually executed on 'the Maiden', one of the last to die on Edinburgh's equivalent of the guillotine.