Threave Castle

Today's the day ………………………. to ring for the custodian

Actually there wouldn't have been much point ringing today because Threave Castle near Castle Douglas is closed for the winter.

In the summertime though, you can get someone to row you across the River Dee to the island and you could explore the medieval tower house to your heart's content.  It was a former stronghold of the Black Douglases, Lords of Galloway and the most powerful family in southern Scotland.  It was built by Archibald the Grim (great name that!) sometime after 1369.  Power struggles between the Douglases and the royal Stewarts led to a decisive siege here in 1499.

But if that sort of thing doesn't float your boat, the castle is surrounded by an extensive area of wetland where you can watch a wide variety of ducks, geese and waders from one of the hides.  And if you go at the right time, you can also see the ospreys and peregrine falcons that nest on the castle walls itself. 

Note to self - visit again in the summer …………………….