Australia: The Land Where Time Began

A biography of the Australian continent 

Bothwell Castle, Scotland

Links to photos

It was built on a bluff above the Clyde. Construction began in the later part of the 13 th century by Walter of Moray. It was never completed. The foundations for the unfinished parts of the castle can still be seen. If completed it would have been a magnificent castle covering 1.5 acres.

In 1296 Walter's son William Moray of Bothwell had succeeded him. Edward I of England invaded Scotland and captured William and the castle.

In 1298-99 the Scots besieged the English garrison in the castle and eventually took it.

In August 1301 Edward returned with a high siege tower and took it again

In June 1314, after the Battle of Bannockburn, the English surrendered it to the Scots.

In October 1336 Edward the third, with yet another invading army, took it, and made it his headquarters

In March 1337, Sir Andrew Murray retook it. It was his ancestral home.

By the late 14 th century the Earls of Douglas had the castle. By the early 15 th century they had repaired and extended the castle, but still hadn't completed the original design.

Through much of the 16 th and 17 th centuries it was owned by the Crown.

In 1669 it was given to the Earls of Forfar.

In the lath 17 th century they moved from the castle to large mansion they had built. The mansion was so badly affected by subsidence from mining that the mansion was demolished in 1926.

More Information

• http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/bothwell/bothwellcastle/index.html
• http://www.guide-to-castles-of-europe.com/bothwell-castle.html