MacLellan's Castle

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MacLellan's Castle

MacLellan's Castle , also MacLellan's House or Kirkcudbright Castle , is a tower house in the Scottish city ​​of Kirkcudbright in the Council Area Dumfries and Galloway . In 1971 the structure was included in the Scottish monument lists in the highest monument category A. It is also classified as a Scheduled Monument .

history

In 1449, under King James II , a Franciscan monastery was built on the site . In the course of the Reformation in the 16th century, the complex was abandoned and secularized. Thomas MacLellan of Bombie , an influential regional politician and Provost of Kirkcudbright, had MacLellan's Castle built on the site in the 1580s. In 1582 work had progressed so far that he and his second wife moved into the building. In 1587 MacLellan entertained the Scottish King James VI there.

After Thomas MacLellan's death in 1597, his possessions passed to his son of the same name . As a result of their involvement in the Ulster Plantation and later the Jacobite Rising, the family became impoverished and the Tower House reportedly fell into ruin around 1752. Around this time the building passed to Robert Maxwell of Orchardton . In 1782 Dunbar Douglas, 4th Earl of Selkirk, acquired MacLellan's Castle. In 1912 the ruin became state property and is looked after by Historic Scotland .

description

The Tower House is in the center of Kirkcudbright at the intersection of Castle Street and St Cuthbert Street near the Dee docks . MacLellan's Castle has an L-shaped floor plan. The masonry of the three- to four-story defense tower consists of quarry stone with details of natural stone. The windows are arranged irregularly. Collar at the edges variously Ecktourellen with loopholes from. The final saddle roofs that have not been preserved are designed with a stepped gable .

In the inner corner on the south-east side, there is a stair tower reaching up to the level of the second floor. An internal spiral staircase leads to the third floor. Above the entrance portal with a fluted architrave there are panels. In addition to a large blind area, which probably once showed the royal Scottish coat of arms, the coat of arms of Lords Maxwell and Herries can be seen. Furthermore, the initials GM by Dame Grissel Maxwell and the year of construction 1582.

The architecture of MacLellan's Castle shows the transition from classic defense towers to armored seats of the lower nobility with a certain living comfort. Although MacLellan's Castle did not do without reinforcement, it was reduced to a minimum for the sake of comfort.

Individual evidence

  1. a b c d e Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
  2. Scheduled Monument - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
  3. ^ A b c Information from Historic Scotland

Web links

Commons : MacLellan's Castle  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 54 ° 50 ′ 13.4 "  N , 4 ° 3 ′ 11.3"  W.