County guide · The Castle Rolls
Best castles in Dumfries and Galloway
12 castles in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland's south-west corner - Caerlaverock's unique triangular plan is unlike any other castle in Britain.
Map
Every castle on this list - 12 in total, 5 free to enter
Caerlaverock Castle
Dumfries and Galloway
Triangular moated castle; some conservation access restrictions
Drumlanrig Castle
Dumfries and Galloway
Seasonal castle tours; country estate and gardens
Threave Castle
Dumfries and Galloway
Island tower of Archibald the Grim; boat access; also listed under National Trust for Scotland
MacLellan's Castle
Dumfries and Galloway
Kirkcudbright townhouse-castle; seasonal opening
Morton Castle
Dumfries and Galloway Free entry
Free remote hall-house above an artificial loch
Lochmaben Castle
Dumfries and Galloway Free entry
Free lochside ruin linked to Robert the Bruce
Carsluith Castle
Dumfries and Galloway Free entry
Free 16th-century tower house beside Wigtown Bay
Orchardton Tower
Dumfries and Galloway Free entry
Scotland's only free-standing round tower house; free
Castle of St John, Stranraer
Dumfries and Galloway
c.1500 L-plan tower house of the Adairs of Kilhilt, later a courthouse, Covenanting-era garrison, Victorian prison and WWII ARP post; now a small museum.
Cardoness Castle
Dumfries and Galloway
15th-century tower house; seasonal opening
Drumcoltran Tower
Dumfries and Galloway Free entry
Free tower house standing in a farmyard
Castle Kennedy
Dumfries and Galloway
Ticketed seasonal gardens around ruined castle