Barholm Castle

Dumfries and Galloway

In Person

2024 Theme

Barholm Castle is a traditional Scottish tower house situated 300 feet above sea level overlooking Wigtown Bay and the Machars of Wigtownshire. It may have been constructed in several stages and consists of a rectangular tower with its earliest origins probably dating from the late 15th century and a later stair tower built on the NE side, probably late in the 16th century. It was originally built and owned by a branch of the local McCulloch family. It is reputed to have been a hiding place in 1566 of the well known figure of the Scottish reformation John Knox (1514-1572). The castle fell into disuse and disrepair in the mid-18th century.

It was restored for residential use between 2003 and 2005. Barholm Castle is now in use as a private family home and is only occasionally open for visits.

Barholm Castle is one of a network of more than forty tower houses in Galloway, mostly built in the 16th century. Many have similarities in construction and design and are likely to have been built by the same teams of masons.

For Doors Open Days there will be guided tours at 1pm and 3pm. 

Facilities

• WC
• Parking
• Not Accessible

Gallery