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Dunskellie Castle (site of)

Dunskellie Castle was a tower belonging to the Irving family in the late 12th century but nothing of it now remains.

In December 1593 Sir James Johnstone of Lochwood and Dunskellie led a force of Johnstones, Irvings and others who met the Maxwells at Dryfe Sands and inflicted a decisive defeat, with John Maxwell, 8th Lord Maxwell, dying in battle. Since Maxwell was Warden of the Marches and considered the King’s representative the Johnstones were forfeited and Dunskellie was destroyed.

In 1597 Sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig and his allies signed a document promising not to attack the allies of Sir James Johnstone of Dunskellie.

John Maxwell, 9th Lord Maxwell, shot and killed Sir James Johnstone of Dunskellie in 1608 and was forfeited in 1609 as a result.

A two storey laird’s house was built on the site of the castle, possibly incorporating the remains of the older building. This house was incorporated into the larger mansion of Cove House in 1844.

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Alternative names for Dunskellie Castle

Cove House; Cove Manor House; Dunskelly House

Clans associated with Dunskellie Castle

Irvine

Johnstone

Surnames associated with Dunskellie Castle

Irvine

Irving

Johnston

Johnstone

Where is Dunskellie Castle?

Dunskellie Castle is in the parish of Kirkpatrick-Fleming and the county of Dumfriesshire.

Grid reference: NY 26584 70469

Lat / long: 55.023316, -3.149882

Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Dunskellie Castle

OS map 323
Eskdale & Castle O’er Forest (Langholm, Canonbie & Gretna Green)
OS Explorer map 323


Directions to Dunskellie Castle

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Weather at Dunskellie Castle

18°C
max 18°C / min 18°C
5km/h SW
1017mb
60%
28%
03:54 20:23

Scattered clouds
Weather observed at Gretna at 17:35

References (websites)

Canmore
Wikipedia

Castles near Dunskellie Castle

Kirkpatrick Tower (site of)

1.0km away

Woodhouse Tower

1.8km away

Robgill Tower

2.1km away

Calvertsholm (site of)

2.2km away

Redhall Castle (site of)

2.6km away

Bonshaw Tower

2.8km away

Wyseby (site of)

3.1km away

Langshaw (site of)

3.3km away

Priore Johns (site of)

3.4km away
more castles....
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Ancient sites near Dunskellie Castle

Cadgill cursus

6.6km away

Lochbrow cursus

25.3km away

Trailflat cursus

26.0km away

McCulloch's Castle fort

29.7km away

Curriestanes cursus

30.9km away

Holm cursus

32.1km away

Gallaberry cursus

32.4km away

Holywood North cursus

32.9km away

Holywood South cursus

32.9km away
more ancient sites....

Pictish stones near Dunskellie Castle

Borthwick Mains Class I symbol stone

46.9km away

Trusty's Hill Class I rock carving

68.9km away

Eggerness Class I rock carving

81.0km away

Abernethy No. 2 Class III symbol stone

102.8km away

Abernethy No. 4 Class III cross shaft

102.8km away

Princes Street Gardens Class I symbol stone

103.1km away

Court Cave Class I rock carving

126.6km away

Doo Cave Class I rock carving

126.7km away

Jonathan's Cave Class I rock carving

126.9km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Dunskellie Castle

Whitecleugh silver chain

67.2km away

Borland silver chain

78.4km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

78.5km away

Whitlaw silver chain

80.8km away

Hoardweel silver chain

103.8km away

Haddington silver chain

106.0km away

Traprain Law silver chain

109.1km away

Norrie's Law hoard

137.5km away

Dunnicaer fort

223.0km away
more Pictish sites....
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Accommodation near Dunskellie Castle

Days Inn Gretna Green
hotelGretna Green
4.5km away
Gables Hotel
hotelGretna Green
5.7km away
Gretna Hall Hotel
hotelGretna Green
5.8km away
Smiths At Gretna Green Classic
hotelGretna Green
5.9km away
Rhone Villa
bed and breakfastGretna Green
5.9km away
Kirkcroft Guest House
bed and breakfastGretna Green
5.9km away
Anvil View Guest House
bed and breakfastGretna Green
6.0km away
Hazeldene Hotel
hotelGretna Green
6.0km away
Solway Lodge Hotel
hotelGretna
6.4km away
Ecclefechan Hotel
hotelEcclefechan
8.4km away

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more accommodation....

Cafés, restaurants & bars near Dunskellie Castle

Kirkconnel Hall Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barEcclefechan
8.8km away
The Cross Keys Hotel, Canonbie
hotel, barCanonbie
13.8km away
Hetland Hall Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barCarrutherstown
17.2km away
Best Western Dryfesdale Country House Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barLockerbie
18.8km away
Premier Inn Dumfries
hotel, restaurantDumfries
26.6km away
Aston Hotel Dumfries
hotel, restaurant, barDumfries
28.4km away
Best Western Station Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barDumfries
29.6km away
Cavens Country House Hotel
hotel, restaurantDumfries
31.1km away
Friars Carse Country House Hotel
hotel, restaurantAuldgirth
37.0km away
Annandale Arms Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barMoffat
39.2km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 21st of January 2021 at 5:03 pm. Updated on the 24th of January 2021 at 6:28 pm.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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