Description:

A large ruined tower close to the village of Torthorwald. The first castle on the site was probably an earthwork motte-and-bailey built sometime in the 12th century. The earliest building which forms part of the current ruins was built in the 14th century.

Torthorwald Castle was originally owned by Sir David Torthorwald in the 13th Century and served as a stronghold for the Kirkpatrick and Carlyle families. It was first handed to the Kirkpatricks and then in 1418 to the Carlyles. In 1544 it was attacked by Lord Carlyle and sacked in a raid against his sister-in-law. In 1609 the castle passed by marriage to the Douglases of Parkhead.