Scotland · Ruin
Auchen Castle
Auchen Castle is a ruined 13th-century quadrangular castle near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway. The site retains earth-covered and rubble-faced stretches of its curtain walls and a rounded corner bastion; it was designated a scheduled monument in 1937.
Its prime
1483
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1483
The shape it held in its prime.
A quadrangular enclosure of lowered, earth-reinforced curtain walls built of local pale grey rubble stone, set on a grassy low ridge above a valley and a steep ravine. The north side held the original entrance accessed by a causeway across two linked fish ponds; the north-west angle has a rounded bastion of coursed rubble. Much of the wall is now turf-covered earth with exposed stone faces and a broad surrounding ditch except at the north causeway.
Its story
The story of Auchen Castle.
Auchen Castle was probably built by the Kirkpatrick family in the early to mid-13th century, possibly to replace the nearby motte-and-bailey castle at Garpol Water, commanding the valley of the River Annan to the east and the ravine of the Garpol Burn to the south. Its walls were protected by a broad ditch, crossed on the north by a causeway over a linked pair of fish ponds.
The estate first appears on record in December 1306, in a charter by which Sir Roger de Kirkpatrick loaned money to Sir Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford. After Kirkpatrick's death at the siege of Lochmaben Castle in 1313, the lands appear to have passed to Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray; what happened to them after his death in 1332 is unclear.
By the 15th century the castle was owned by the Douglases of Morton, before passing to the Johnstones of Corehead — possibly during King James II's campaign against the Douglases. Earth-covered and rubble-faced stretches of the quadrangular curtain walls and a rounded corner bastion survive; the ruin was designated a scheduled monument in 1937.
Step inside
7 places to explore in 1483.
The record describes 7 distinct spots at Auchen Castle — including 2 interiors: garderobe in the east curtain wall, great hall (interior). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Auchen Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1483 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Auchen Castle.
The families that held Auchen Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Kirkpatrick
Probably built by the Kirkpatricks in the early to mid-13th century; held until Sir Roger de Kirkpatrick's death at the siege of Lochmaben in 1313.
Randolph
Apparently held by Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray, from 1313 until his death in 1332.
Held by the Douglases of Morton in the 15th century.
Passed to the Johnstones of Corehead, possibly during James II's campaign against the Douglases.
