Orchardton Castle
| Orchardton Castle | |
|---|---|
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Orchardton Castle viewed from the North West | |
  Orchardton Castle | |
| Coordinates | 54°51′33″N 3°51′15″W / 54.859222°N 3.854173°W |
Orchardton Castle is a Scottish Baronial-style stone castle located in Auchencairn in Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfries and Galloway in Southwest Scotland. It overlooks the Solway Firth, with views to Cumbria and Hestan Island.
History
William Douglas Robinson reconstructed the castle in the Scottish Baronial style in the 1880's, on the site of a small mansion dating from around 1769. It was originally built by Sir Robert Maxwell, seventh baronet of Orchardton, who married a MacLellan of MacLellan's Castle and used the roof timbers and stone from Orchardton Castle, (now just Orchardton Tower remaining) rebuilding it in a better location.
In 1786, the estate came under the ownership of James Douglas. He was the brother of William Douglas, founder of Castle Douglas. Part of the original wall structure is still evident.[1]
It was built by William Douglas, a smuggler, who had taken stones from the Orchardton Tower to create his own castle where he would have access to the sea. The castle may contain hidden passageways towards the sea.
The castle was turned into a military hospital in 1944. The property was sold in 1951 and became a hotel until 1960. Between 1960 and 1981, it was a school. Thereafter, it was used for residential courses and conferences and housing for artists until 2003.
It was renovated in 2003 over two years. Central heating was installed and the electric wiring was renewed.
The owners fell prey to a con artist while trying to sell the castle in 2012 and spent the next three and a half years sorting everything out. The property remained on the market.
Castle
Orchardton Castle has a palm tree and many other rare trees in the garden and grounds, stretching over 5 acres.
The castle has around 48 rooms, including 17 bedrooms and three flats. Cinema, libraries and an outside sauna. The grounds are often visited by pheasants, deer and peacocks.
Sources
- Paterson, George "Orchardton House", University of Glasgow, 1454