During the later half of the 14th century, Bothwell castle became the property of the Earls of Douglas who began a project of restoration and expansion

Bothwell Castle sits atop a high steep bank above a bend in the River Clyde between Uddingston and the small town of Bothwell in Lanarkshire, Scotland . The huge cylindrical Donjon was built in the 13th century, but before the rest of the castle was completed it was severely damaged in a series of sieges. Rebuilding in the early 15th century enlarged the castle, but it was abandoned by the 18th century and became the present massive rectangular ruin, with the Donjon to the west and the later Great Hall to the east side of the rectangular central courtyard enclosed by long curtain walls the only remaining visible signs of its long and distinguished history.

In 1296 with only parts of the castle ( the Donjon, Prison Tower and the short connecting curtain wall) completed, the forces of King Edward I of England invaded Scotland at the start of the Wars of Scottish Independence and seized the castle.

Some 14 months later the English were besieged by Scottish forces during, who starved the occupying forces into submission. In August, 1301, Edward I brought a force of 6800 men complete with a high siege tower and re-took the castle after about 3 weeks of fighting. The English surrendered the castle after being defeated at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, then re-took it in 1336 and made it the headquarters of Edward III of England during his invasion of Scotland. During March 1337, a Scots army under the command of Andrew Murray of Bothwell re-took the castle (which was his ancestral home). In the process of retaking Bothwell castle the Scots demolished the western side of the great donjon, leaving only the eastern half standing.

During the later half of the 14th century Bothwell castle became the property of the Earls of Douglas who began a project of restoration and expansion, and by 1424 they had constructed the Great Hall and adjacent chapel with towers at the north east and south east corners and curtain walls connecting to the Donjon which enclosed the courtyard. For much of the 16th century the castle was the property of the crown and then came under the ownership of the Earls of Forfar in 1669.

By 1700 the Earls of Forfar abandoned the castle and moved to Bothwell House, a large new mansion built by Archibald Douglas, 1st earl of Forfar close to the east of the castle. The house was eventually demolished in 1926 due to mining subsidence.

Bothwell castle came into State care in 1935 and nowadays is managed by Historic Scotland and open to the public.

Tourist Information

Opening Times:

24th March to 30th September: Daily 9.30am to 6.30pm

1st October to 23rd March: Daily except Thursday and Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing.

Admission Charges:

(2005 prices) Adult £2.50; Child £1.00; Concessions £1.90.

Directions: At Uddingston, off the B7071