Craignethan Castle Guidebook

Craignethan Castle’s location was chosen for strategic reasons. Surrounded by steep gorges on three of its sides, the castle was spectacularly easy to defend. Indeed, it is notable for being the last purpose-built fortress in Scotland.

The land on which the castle stands had been owned by the infamous Black Douglases, but after their fall from power it was given to the Hamilton family.

Hamilton of Finnart built this castle as a testament to his skills in constructing residential and military installations. But when Finnart fell out of favour with King James V, he was executed.

This guide describes the castle in a colourful fashion, unpicking the trials and tribulations of those who lived within its walls.

By Iain MacIvor and Chris Abraham
32 pages, 147mm x 210mm