📌 Bankend, Dumfries & Galloway
★★★★
🛠️ Castle open but with some access restrictions due to masonry work – reduced admission fee (checked April 2024)
Caerlaverock is one of southern Scotland’s finest ruins, if not the finest. Built in the 13th century by the Maxwell family, the castle is uniquely triangular in shape, defended by two moats and a formidable gatehouse. Despite numerous sieges – inevitable at such close proximity to the English border – large parts survive reasonably intact, including tall sandstone battlements and mighty corner towers. An ornate, Renaissance east range is a surprising discovery inside: this is Nithsdale Lodging, added in the 17th century by Robert Maxwell, 1st Earl of Nithsdale. Back on the outside of the moat, a nature trail leads to the site of the castle’s predecessor on the fringes of Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve.
🌍 Location
📌 Off the B725 2 mi south of Bankend
🧭 O.S Grid Reference: NY 026656
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 54.975662,-3.523987
🚌 Bus stops on B725 at castle turnoff
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Daily
🎫 £7.50 adult / £4.50 child / free for Historic Environment Scotland members
