Bothwell Castle

The ruins of Bothwell Castle sit at the top of a steep river cliff on the east bank of the River Clyde. It was founded in the mid 13th century by the de Moravia family, although there are architectural hints that suggest William de Valence may also have had a hand in the construction of the circular keep during the Wars of Independence.

The castle was never completed to its intended form, and what stands today consists of a roughly rectangular courtyard with the keep occupying a projecting salient at the western end. This courtyard occupies perhaps the southern third of a shield-shaped courtyard castle, much of which never proceeded beyond foundation level. The castle was dismantled on two occasions before the 3rd earl of Douglas completed what stands today – including a reworking of part of the keep, the addition of towers and a great hall at the opposite end of the courtyard to the keep. This phase was repeatedly modified and updated through to the late 15th century before it was eventually abandoned and partly demolished to form a “romantic ruin” in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Today the castle is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and is one of the principal heritage attractions around Glasgow.

Official Historic Scotland page

HES Canmore database entry