CASTLE MACLELLAN

Stronghold of the MacLellan clan

IN THE CENTRE of the town of Kirkcudbright is MacLellan’s Castle, a large L-shaped ruin under the guardianship of Historic Scotland. It was completed in 1582 by Sir Thomas MacLellan of Bombie, whose coat of arms, along with those of his wives, appear over the entrance.

It was built in a style of a mansion; though the entrance was fortified with two gun ports, and all the windows which could possibly be accessed from ground level were barred.

The family lived in the castle until, due to a great reduction in the family's fortunes, it was sold to Sir Robert Maxwell. The castle was apparently roofless by then. The Earl of Selkirk also owned the castle before it was transferred to state ownership in 1912.

The ruins are very well preserved and worth a visit.