A visit at Threave Castle starts with a little 5 to 10 minutes walk through the lush hills and fields until you´ll catch the first glimpse of the castle sitting on a little island in River Dee.
A small boat of the National Trust for Scotland awaits you and brings you safely to the fortress on the island. It is said that Threave Island was the home of the ancient rulers of Galloway about a 1000 years ago, but the left no trace.
Today’s tall forbidding tower was built by Sir Archibald Douglas, the new Lord of Galloway but better known as Archibald the Grim, in 1369. He died on Threave as 3rd Earl of Douglas, one of the most influential and important figures in Southern Scottland, in 1400.
About 50 years later Theave was under a two-month siege when James II tried to overthrow the Black Douglases and brought the Castle under the Crowns command. Later it belonged to the Maxwell Family.
The tower was (is) 5 storeys high, had storage and service space under its lower floors and houses Archibalds private rooms above. There were a little harbour and several buildings around the castle.
More information about Threave Castle is on the National Trust for Scotland site.
