posted 08-14-2003 04:39 AM         

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The 14th century tower is intact and little altered, but modernised, and measures about 48ft (14.5m) by 35ft (10.5m). It is of sufficient antiquity for the Scottish Commission for Ancient Monuments to mention its original iron yett. Closeburn is one of the oldest inhabited tower houses in Scotland, is rectangular, and stands on a slight projection of what was formerly a loch. The walls, which are upto 10ft (3m) thick in places but reduced to 7ft (2.2m) higher up, rise 50ft (15.2m) to a parapet, which is flush with the walling. However, the crenellations have been modernised, as has the caphouse, which lies, at the top of the stairway.
The vaulted basement has no windows, nor does it have any communication with the floors above. The main entrance is in the west front at first floor level, and gives access to the hall. The hall is vaulted, but now sub-divided, with five windows, three of which have stone seats. A spiral staircase rises in the thickness of the north wall to the caphouse. The upper storeys have been modernised and most of the windows enlarged. The attic is unusual in that it is vaulted.
The castle was a stronghold of the Kirkpatrick family. Roger de Kirkpatrick was with Robert the Bruce at Dumfries in 1305. A baronetcy was conferred upon the family in 1685, and from them descended Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The Kirkpatricks sold the castle to Dr. James Stewart Menteith in 1783.
The tower is east of the A76 about three miles south of Thornhill and west of Closeburn village. It is approached through a long avenue of trees from the front entrance and a muddy track at the back, behind some cottages. It is a private residence and is not open to the public, and the gates at both front and back were firmly locked and unassailable.

Sources:
Nigel Tranter – The Fortified House in Scotland - Volume 3, South-West Scotland – James Thin, First Edition, 1962; Reprinted, 1986
Mike Salter – The Castles of South-West Scotland – Folly Publications, First Edition, 1993

PS. I did visit Closeburn Castle a few years ago (hence the comment in my last paragraph) I did mange to get a photo, so will scan it and arrange to get it on the internet for you. I will provide the link address hopefully in the next couple of days.

posted 06-14-2005 09:05 AM         

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See http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=34&pid=8664&st=0&#entry8664

[This message has been edited by AJR (edited 03-06-2008).]