Description:

The castle, bordered on the west by the River Nith and to the north by Townfoot Burn, was made even more secure by a deep ditch encircling the rest of its boundary. The land first belonged to the Edgar family before passing to the Ross family, who built the initial castle. During the reign of Robert the Bruce, the Crichton family acquired the property and constructed Sanquhar Castle in the late 13th century. Its name comes from the Scots Gaelic Seann Cathair, meaning “old fort.”

Sanquhar saw action on multiple occasions during the Scottish Wars of Independence. It was captured by both English and Scots in turn during the conflict. William Wallace visited the castle as did Robert Bruce. So too did Edward I of England and his son, Edward II. Centuries later Mary, Queen of Scots came to Sanquhar as did her son James VI.