Great Hall Reopens in MacLellan's Castle

More areas to explore at iconic 16th century site.

Alongside the kitchen and vaulted cellars on the first floor, visitors can now also head upstairs to explore the castle's historic great hall, home to a monumental fireplace with a stone lintel measuring almost 4 metres long. Behind the fireplace is a rare survival of a laird's lug – translating from Scots to 'lord's ear' - as hidden closet from which the master of the house could spy on his guests in the great hall.

The completed conservation work focused on the castle’s south stair area, with decaying lintels restored with matching stone replacements. Repointing work was also carried out, as was the replacement of a missing crow step, part of the castle’s stair step style gable end design.

Rosie Thorp, District Visitor and Community Manager for Dumfries and Galloway at Historic Environment Scotland, said:

"MacLellan's Castle is an iconic part of the Dumfries and Galloway landscape which continues to play a vital role in the local community, so I'm thrilled to be announcing increased access to the site's interiors. Traditional skills such as stonemasonry have played a vital part in getting us to this stage, employing specialist techniques to conserve the site with minimal impact. Our stonemasons sourced sandstone that closely matched the site’s original stone, using the same techniques to dress the material as used by the castle’s original builders. This work conserves MacLellan's Castle heritage and ensures it can continue to be enjoyed today and for many more centuries to come."

MacLellan’s Castle is named after its first owner, Sir Thomas MacLellan, Provost of Kirkcudbright. Sir Thomas began building a house on this site in Kirkcudbright after acquiring land belonging to the convent of Greyfriars following the Protestant Reformation in 1560. By 1582, the castle was complete enough for Sir Thomas to move in. Five years later, he and his second wife, Lady Grissel, entertained James VI in what was a stylish and spacious townhouse. By the 18th century the home had been abandoned, eventually entering state care in 1912.

Some internal areas of the castle remain closed while vital conservation work is ongoing.

Find out more about MacLellan's castle including hours and how to book tickets.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

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