Craignethan Castle

About this place

Ruined artillery fortification above the River Nethan, one of the last castles built in Scotland.

Built in the early 16th century, Craignethan is considered one of the last true castles constructed in Scotland before changing warfare and the rise of more modern fortifications made the traditional castle design obsolete, and its defences were specifically designed to withstand artillery bombardment. Set above the River Nethan in a genuinely dramatic position, the ruins give a strong sense of a building caught between medieval tradition and early modern military engineering. It's a quieter, less-visited site than many of Scotland's better-known castles. There's an admission charge, and the uneven ground within the ruins makes it unsuitable for buggies.

Make a day of it — within 5km