Where is it?
Caerlaverock Castle
Glencaple
Dumfries
DG1 4RU

Completed in the 1270’s this was the home of Herbert Maxwell. A magnificent 3 cornered structure surrounded by two moats the castle has seen many sieges leading to large areas of destruction but it has also seen many periods of re-building and modifications. In 1300 the castle was besieged. With a garrison of some 3000 men and 87 knights and various seige engines the English took control of Caerlaverock until 1312 when it passed back again to the Maxwell family. Sir Eustace Maxwell, Herbert’s grandson switched support to Robert the Bruce and the castle faced another but this time unsuccessful attack by the English.

By 1337 a lot of the damage to Caerlaverock had been repaired.  Sir Eustace switched allegiance again and the castle was again besieged and taken by the Scots in 1356. Another period of rebuilding in the late 1300’s and most of the 1400’s led to some of what remains today.  Further attacks by the English in 1544 and 1570 followed. In 1603 the union of the crowns gave a chance for peace and in 1634 Sir Robert Maxwell, First Earl of Nithsdale, built the Nithsdale Lodging.

Caerlaverock became the luxurious mansion home for the Maxwell family.  With its highly decorative and intricate carvings and its large and airy rooms it would have been a very fasionable residence and a statement of the family’s wealth and status. It is likely that the walls were covered in pale coloured plaster. Much of the ornamental stonework from Robert Maxwell’s renovations are still present in the interior of the castle.

Much of the ornamental stonework from Robert Maxwell’s restoration are still present in the interior of the castle. Peace was short lived and in 1640 the Maxwell family held off attack by the Covenanters for 13 weeks before surrendering. The castle was never repaired and stands today as it was left following the attack of 1640.

Visitors to Caerlaverock today find a handsome ruin of red sandstone.  The moat is still filled with water and the rooms, both at ground and upper levels can be explored. There are information boards throughout the castle affording insights into the life and times of occupancy.

In the grounds there is a museum telling more of the story of Caerlaverock and holding some of the finds and relics from the castle.  There is also a gift shop and a tearoom.