Visitors have not been allowed inside Threave Castle for four years. An imposing castle built on an island in a south of Scotland river is to let visitors back inside for the first time in four years, with the interior near Castle Douglas set to reopen from this weekend.
The interior of Threave Castle near Castle Douglas has been shut while specialist teams carried out inspections and conservation work on its stonework. Repairs were also carried out and a safe access route created through its ground floor.
The grounds - which are reached by boat - have been accessible since April this year but the interior will now reopen from this weekend.
Visitors access the castle by boat across the River Dee
Visitors cross the River Dee by boat to reach the castle - which was built by Archibald "The Grim" in 1369 as a stronghold for the infamous Black Douglas family.
Its tower house stands at 110ft (30m) tall.
The island sits within a wetland nature reserve, and the castle is at the heart of a "thriving natural ecosystem" and a rich variety of birdlife.
What did the monument manager say?
Malcolm Price, monument manager, said:
Threave Castle is an incredibly special place with a fascinating history, and we are excited to welcome visitors not just to the island but now inside the castle walls too.
Once the home of the infamous Black Douglas family, the castle was fitted with formidable battlements - which visitors can still see the remnants of today.
The artillery wall, which was state-of-the-art in its time, kept King James II's forces at bay during the siege of 1455.
Conservation work is vital to ensuring visitors can continue to enjoy our sites for years to come, and it's wonderful that Threave Castle can once again welcome people through its doors.
Why has the castle been closed?
The interior was closed while specialist teams carried out inspections and conservation work on the stonework, alongside repairs and the creation of a safe access route through the ground floor. The work was carried out to help ensure the site can continue to be opened to visitors safely.
What makes Threave Castle notable?
Threave Castle was built by Archibald "The Grim" in 1369 as a stronghold for the Black Douglas family, and its tower house rises to 110ft (30m). The castle sits on an island in a wetland nature reserve and is surrounded by a rich variety of birdlife within what has been described as a "thriving natural ecosystem".
The grounds have been open since April this year, and the reopening of the interior means visitors can once again enter the castle itself after four years.
