Dundaff Castle

Dundaff Castle, also known as Sir John de Graham's Castle sits on the banks of the Carron Valley Reservoir. It was built in the 12th century by the Graham family. It makes for a great place to sit and relax next to the water overlooking the hills, unless of course you visit during Storm Kathleen as we did.

In 1235, the Earl of Dunbar was granted Dundaff and Strathcarron, which he exchanged shortly afterwards for land in Galloway which he had previously granted to Sir David de Graham. Graham's son Sir John de Graham was born in this area.

Sir John de Graham, was a renowned supporter of Scottish independence and fought alongside William Wallace in the Wars of Independence. He is known to have been fought in the Battle of Stirling Bridge and in 1298 he lost his life fighting alongside Wallace in the Battle of Falkirk.

It takes quite some imagination to picture what the castle looked like in its prime. Fortunately, there is an information board to assist with this.

The castle is built in a classic motte and bailey style, typical of this period in Scotland. The motte being the raised land/bank on which a stone or wooden keep was built. The bailey being the walled courtyard that surrounded the motte. The whole area was then surrounded by a ditch which would have contained water (a moat).

The castle was last occupied in 1362, when the then occupier Sir John de Graham of Dalkeith died.

If you are as crazy as us, you may want to visit the nearby Cairnoch Hill Trig Point.

Follow the above route, or find on OS Maps.