Threave Castle

Today's the day ..................... to lay seige

A fine and breezy day today, perfect for Dominic to show his Dad the ospreys at Threave Castle Nature Reserve, near Castle Douglas - before they both returned home this afternoon.

This is the castle itself which stands on an island in the middle of the River Dee.  It was a former stronghold of the Black Douglases, Lords of Galloway and the most powerful family in southern Scotland.  It was built by Archibald the Grim (great name that!) sometime after 1369.  Power struggles between the Douglases and the royal Stewarts led to a decisive siege here in 1499.

It used to be possible to go across in a small boat and see it at close quarters.  This all stopped around Covid time and has never started again.  It's a shame - but no doubt the peregrine falcons that nest high up in the walls and quite happy with the arrangement .....................!