Barholm Castle, Tower house in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Barholm Castle is a three-story tower house from the late 15th century with an L-shaped floor plan located in the Scottish southwest. Its thick stone walls enclose a vaulted basement and upper rooms connected by a broad spiral staircase that serves as the main vertical circulation.
Construction took place in the late 15th century, and the McCulloch family acquired the property in 1510 where they maintained it as a residence. Religious tensions between Protestant and Catholic landowners in the area shaped local affairs during the following centuries.
The name reflects the elevated location of this fortified residence on the local landscape. It represents how such structures functioned as family strongholds and homes rather than primarily military installations.
The property underwent major restoration between 2003 and 2006 and now functions as a private residence rather than a public venue. Visitors interested in viewing the exterior and learning about its architecture should contact local tourism information beforehand.
A parapet walk runs along the north and south walls with a caphouse at the top reached by a corbelled stair turret at roof level. This feature demonstrates the careful defensive design typical of tower houses from this period.
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