Hoddom Castle

Hoddom Castle is a large tower house in Dumfries and Galloway. The lands of Hoddom or Hoddam belonged to the Herries family, allies of the Bruce family who were Lords of Annandale from 1124. At the core of the castle is an L-plan tower house, built in the 16th century. It was probably built for Sir John Maxwell, who acquired Hoddom in the mid 16th-century when he married the heiress Agnes, Lady Herries.

In the aftermath of the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Regent Moray besieged Hoddom, which capitulated after ten hours, on 21 June 1568. It was briefly the base of Douglas of Drumlanrig, a Warden of the Scottish West March, but was recaptured in 1569 by supporters of Queen Mary. The following year it was attacked by the English under Lord Scrope, who blew up the tower.

This tower was repaired and expanded in the 17th century to form a courtyard castle. The house was requisitioned by the military during the Second World War, and was not reoccupied afterwards. The castle now stands in the grounds of a caravan park, and the remaining 19th-century additions are used as offices. The tower house is derelict.

The Repentance Tower is a very rare example of a mid-16th century watch tower standing on nearby Trailtrow Hill. Built in 1565 by John Maxwell the tower takes its name from an inscription 'Repentance' carved on the stonework above the entrance door. It became a dovecote having fallen out of use with the union of the crowns under James VI of Scotland, James I of England.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom

Details

Founded: 16th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom