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Threave Castle

Threave Castle

Photo: Otter · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Location
Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Client / Owner
Archibald the Grim
Year
Completed 1370
Access
Public
Style
—

Threave Castle in Dumfries and Galloway was built by Archibald the Grim of the Black Douglas family in the 1370s. The 8th Earl began the artillery house in 1447, and his brother the 9th Earl completed it after 1452. The article names no architect or materials, though it mentions stone.

The keep is one of the first tower houses built in Scotland. It measures 60 by 40 feet (18.4 by 12.1 m) and 69 feet (21 m) high, with five storeys and walls 6 feet 7 inches (2 m) thick. The single entrance is at first-floor level. The later curtain wall and artillery house were a sophisticated defence for their time.

The Black Douglas lost it in 1455 after a siege of over two months. It was given into state care in 1913. Historic Environment Scotland maintains the ruin, and visitors reach it by boat. The article gives no hours.

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