Scotland · Partial ruin
Morton Castle
Morton Castle is a late medieval triangular-plan castle on a high promontory surrounded on three sides by an artificial loch in Nithsdale, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Surviving elements include a four-storey D‑plan tower with a pit prison, twin gatehouses at the south‑west corner and a long two‑storey south range that contained the main first‑floor hall. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
Its prime
1450
Today
Partial ruin
As it stood in 1450
What Morton Castle looked like in its prime.
Triangular-plan stone castle set on a high promontory encircled on three sides by an artificial loch; red-brown rubble walls rise to roofed ranges and towers at its prime. Twin gatehouses anchor the south-west corner; one D‑plan tower survives to four storeys with a pit prison below and chambers above containing an elaborate fireplace. A long two‑storey south range carries large arched first‑floor windows lighting the main hall, and a round south‑east tower links private rooms to the hall.
Its story
The story of Morton Castle.
Morton Castle stands by an artificial loch in the hills above Nithsdale, once part of a chain of castles along the strategically important Nith Valley running from the Solway Firth to the Clyde. In the 12th century the honour of Morton belonged to Dunegal, Lord of Strathnith; under Robert the Bruce the lands were held by Thomas Randolph, later first Earl of Moray, before passing to the earls of March, who probably built or rebuilt the existing castle in the early 15th century.
In the mid-15th century James II gave the lands to James Douglas of Dalkeith, later Earl of Morton. The fourth earl was executed in 1580 for his alleged part in the murder of Lord Darnley, and castle and earldom passed briefly to John Maxwell, 7th Lord Maxwell; the castle was taken and burned before returning to the Earls of Morton once the attainder was reversed. In 1608 it was sold to William Douglas of Coshogle, who sold it ten years later to William Douglas of Drumlanrig, later first Earl of Queensberry.
Triangular in plan with twin gatehouses at the south-west corner, a layout resembling Caerlaverock, the castle keeps a D-plan tower standing four storeys, with a pit prison below and an elaborate fireplace in the lord's lodging above. Fine arched windows and a lack of arrow loops in the long south range suggest it was built or remodelled as a hunting lodge. Morton is now the property of the Duke of Buccleuch, in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
Step inside
10 places to explore in 1450.
The record describes 10 distinct spots at Morton Castle, including 5 interiors: gate passage with portcullis, d‑plan tower: lodging and prison, first‑floor hall in the south range and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.
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Clans who held Morton Castle.
The families that held Morton Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.
Randolph
The lands of Morton were held by Thomas Randolph, later first Earl of Moray, during the reign of Robert the Bruce.
Granted by James II to James Douglas of Dalkeith, later Earl of Morton, in the mid-15th century; sold in 1608 to William Douglas of Coshogle and in 1618 to William Douglas of Drumlanrig, later first Earl of Queensberry.
From the archive
Morton Castle on paper: the measured plan and period views.
The survey plan and photographs below are the ground truth this page's reconstructions are checked against, drawn and photographed while the castle was still a working garrison. Every image is public-domain or openly licensed, with its source named.
Fig. 465. — Morton Castle. Plan.
1887 · MacGibbon & Ross, Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, vol. 1 (1887)
Public domain
Fig. 466. — Morton Castle. View from the North-West.
1887 · MacGibbon & Ross, Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, vol. 1 (1887)
Public domain
Fig. 467.—Morton Castle. View from the South-West.
1887 · MacGibbon & Ross, Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, vol. 1 (1887)
Public domain
