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Explore a castle hotly fought over during the Wars of Independence with England. Bothwell Castle, built on a grand scale in the late 1200s, frequently passed back and forth between English and Scottish hands.

Such hostility – in particular Edward I’s great siege of 1301 – meant the castle was never completed to its original plan. Yet, with its imposing donjon, it’s one of Scotland’s most impressive medieval strongholds standing today.

Interior view of the red brick arched gateway inside Bothwell Castle
portrait UAV view of a tower at Bothwell Castle
Aerial view of Bothwell Castle and surrounding landscape

Visitors to Bothwell Castle can admire its dramatic location by a winding curve in the River Clyde. Marvel at the 13th-century donjon, a circular keep tower that’s without parallel in Scotland. Step inside the 14th-century chapel, an impressive remnant of the days of the Black Douglases.

The adjacent semi-natural woodland is full of flowers in spring and there is access to the Clyde Walkway.

Aerial view directly over the ruins of Bothwell Castle
Looking through the arches of the Great Hall towards the Donjon at Bothwell Castle.

Ready for an adventure?

Use a Membership or Explorer Pass to discover centuries of Scottish history and heritage, all while saving money and supporting our work.

Membership

Ideal for regular visitors and heritage supporters

Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events

Two adults, holding hands with two young children, walk through a graveyard, with historical stone ruins in the background. It is a sunny day.
  • Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events
  • Discount in our shops and cafés (on site and online)
  • Historic Scotland magazine delivered to your door
  • Free or discounted entry to sites in England, Wales and the Isle of Man

Explorer Pass

Perfect for short-term trips and sightseeing

Valid for 14 consecutive days

A family walking across a grassy lawn with the New Abbey Corn Mill building in the background.
  • Valid for 14 consecutive days
  • Entry to all ticketed sites, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle
  • 20% discount on audio guides at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Glasgow Cathedral
  • Guaranteed entry when you pre-book online