Wigtown Castle

Overview

Wigtown Castle was a royal stronghold located near the town of Wigtown in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. Founded in the 12th century, it served as one of several royal castles established to secure Galloway after its incorporation into the Scottish kingdom. Although nothing remains above ground today, the site holds deep historical significance — particularly for its association with the Wars of Independence and the later persecution of the Covenanters in the 17th century.

Early history

The castle was established around 1170 during the reign of King David I or his successors, as part of a wider effort to bring royal authority to the formerly semi-independent province of Galloway. Positioned near the River Bladnoch and Wigtown Bay, the fortress commanded access to maritime routes and local trade. It became the administrative centre for the royal sheriffdom of Wigtown, symbolising the Scottish Crown’s growing influence in the southwest.

Building and layout

Though little physical evidence remains, records suggest Wigtown Castle followed the typical Norman motte-and-bailey or early stone castle plan. It would have included a fortified enclosure, domestic buildings, and possibly a tower or keep surrounded by defensive ditches. The site’s proximity to the water meant it could be supplied by ship and served as both a defensive outpost and a local seat of governance.

Later history and decline

Wigtown Castle featured in several episodes of Scottish history. During the Wars of Independence, it was occupied alternately by English and Scottish forces. In 1286, it was one of the castles garrisoned by Edward I of England as part of his campaign to control Scotland. After the wars, it returned to Scottish hands but gradually fell into disuse as regional power shifted to nearby Whithorn and other administrative centres. By the 15th century, the castle was already in ruins.

The site later gained sombre historical resonance through the story of the “Wigtown Martyrs” — two Covenanter women, Margaret McLachlan and Margaret Wilson, who were executed by drowning in 1685 near the site of the old castle for refusing to renounce their faith.

Present condition

Today, no visible remains of Wigtown Castle survive above ground, though the site is marked near the confluence of the River Bladnoch and Wigtown Bay. Archaeological surveys have identified earthworks that may correspond to the castle’s former defensive features. A commemorative plaque and nearby monuments recall both the castle’s medieval role and its later association with the Covenanter martyrs. Though lost to time, Wigtown Castle remains an important landmark in Scotland’s complex history of royal authority, rebellion, and faith.