Kenmure Castle

This fabulous ruin is called Kenmure Castle, an imposing castle near New Galloway.

When planning a day out on a recent holiday, I noticed a castle just south of New Galloway on Google Maps. I thought it well worth investigating as we were passing, and it was not at all what I expected. After parking next to the gate, we walked up the path to Kenmure Castle, which is built on a large mound that is thought to have been occupied since the Middle Ages.

Much of the structure you see today is what remains of the 19th century renovations. However, if you look closer, you can still see some of the 17th century remains.

The Lords of Galloway ruled this area until the 13th century and may well have had a fortress here. It is also the probable birthplace of John Balliol (King of Scotland), as his grandfather Alan, was the final Lord of Galloway.

In 1297, the castle became the property of the Gordons of Lochinvar. The Gordons hosted James IV of Scotland here in 1508 after he completed a pilgrimage to Whithorn.

Another famous guest was Mary Queen of Scots. She visited the castle in 1563 on her way from Clary to St. Mary's Isle. A few years later, in 1568, the castle was severely damaged by opponents of Mary Queen of Scots after her supporters were defeated at the Battle of Langside.

The main doorway to the castle bears the Gordon Coat of Arms. The building is full of fallen masonry and there are DANGER signs in the entrances. Fortunately, there are plenty of windows through which you can see how the building was constructed. I have to say, it was sad to see it in such a state and it definitely has a spooky feel.

The Gordons began to climb the peerage ladder, in 1626, Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar was created a Baronet, and in 1633 his son Sir John Gordon was created Viscount of Kenmure by Charles I.

William Gordon, the 6th Viscount, took part in the Jacobite Rising in 1715 during which he was beheaded, his estates forfeit, and the castle was in ruins by 1790.

In 1824, the viscountcy was restored to Captain John Gordon.

The castle was built on the west and south of a large courtyard. The north and east of the courtyard had high walls, and the entrance gate in the north wall had two corner towers. There is evidence of the 17th century castle on the ground floor, with the typical vaulted ceiling cellars.

The south range was rebuilt in the 1840s, and further renovations were carried out in the 1860s. The west range was remodelled in 1879, and at some point in the 1800s, the courtyard wall and north east tower were demolished using gunpowder. In 1908, further extensions were made to the castle.

In 1923, the castle was let to Brigadier-General Maurice Lilburn MacEwen, a battalion commander, who later bought it. After his death, in 1943, the castle became a hotel, run by Stanley Dobson until 1957. Sadly, by 1958, the interior fixtures and fittings were stripped, and the roof was removed.

The ruins were bought in 1962 by Graeme Gordon, after which the castle became derelict.

For those of you who like ghost hunting, the castle is said to be haunted by The Headless Piper of Kenmure.

A sundial retrieved from Kenmure Castle can be found in the Dumfries Museum and bears the date 1623.

The castle was listed in 1971, and is now a Scheduled Monument with Historic Environment Scotland.