Old Photograph Morton Castle Scotland

Old photograph of Morton Castle near Thornhill which is located north of Dumfries, Scotland. This Scottish castle once formed part of a chain of castles along the strategically important Nith Valley, which runs from the Solway Firth north to the Clyde Valley. During the reign of King Robert the Bruce the lands of Morton were held by Thomas Randolph, later the first Earl of Moray. In the mid 15th century the lands were given by King James II of Scotland to James Douglas of Dalkeith, later Earl of Morton. The fourth earl of Morton was executed in 1580 for his alleged part in the murder of Lord Darnley, and Morton Castle, together with the earldom, briefly passed to John Maxwell, 7th Lord Maxwell, and grandson of the third earl. However, in 1588, James VI led an expedition against the Catholic Maxwells. Morton Castle was taken and burned, and returned to the Earls of Morton. In 1608 the castle was sold to William Douglas of Coshogle, who sold it in turn to William Douglas of Drumlanrig, later the first Earl of Queensberry. Following its abandonment in the 18th century, much stone was carried off until the 1890s when some repairs were carried out. It is now the property of the Duke of Buccleuch. History Blog post of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to travel and visit one day.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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