Lochmaben Castle

Lochmaben Castle consists of medieval ruins positioned at the southern edge of Castle Loch near Lochmaben town. The visible stonework includes foundation lines and wall segments that show how the structure evolved through different building phases over several centuries.

The original fortification was built around 1160 by the Bruce family on a different site. Edward I then constructed a replacement castle in 1298 at the current location.

The castle served as a symbol of local control over the region and its name derives from the nearby Loch Maben. The ruins remind visitors today of how such fortifications shaped settlement patterns and territorial claims in the borderlands.

The ruins are accessible via marked pathways and informational panels guide you around the site. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven and the area remains an active archaeological location where you should stay on designated routes.

In the early 1600s Francis Stewart managed to infiltrate the castle by disguising himself as a woman. This episode reveals how sometimes cunning and surprise could overcome security in even well-defended strongholds.

Location: Dumfries and Galloway

Location: Lochmaben

Inception: 1488

GPS coordinates: 55.11630,-3.42925

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:40