History

The area is steeped in history, from the cradle of Christianity at Whithorn, to Robert the Bruce - who both fought against and hid from the English in Galloway - the Border reivers and the Covenanters to inventors, industrialists and scientists such as James Clerk Maxwell, whose work in the field of electromagnetics made radio, television and the telephone possible.

Within easy walking distance is Threave Castle, the stronghold built by Archibald the Grim, 3rd Earl of Douglas, c.1369, on an island in the River Dee.
A hundred years later the strength of the Black Douglases had become a threat to the security of the king, James II. The King killed the eighth Earl at a dinner in Stirling Castle, in 1452. This did not solve the problem, however, and in 1455 the king beseiged Threave Castle. Local legend says that he ordered a 'monstrous bombard', or cannon, to be made at the smithy at The Buchan for the purpose of his assault on the Castle. Some people believe this cannon to have been Mons Meg, a massive early cannon, which can now be seen on the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.
Whatever its origin, a cannon was used, and it is known that three shots were fired at the castle from the hill behind The Buchan before it surrendered, although this was probably due more to bribery of the garrison than the damage caused by the ordnance! Today the castle is open to the public and is in the care of Historic Scotland, who operate the boat which is the only access to the island on which it stands.
Read "The Story of Smithy House"

The Buchan is the original settlement beside Carlingwark Loch, predating by several hundred years the town of Castle Douglas, which was founded in the latter part of the eighteenth century. The buildings are believed to be in excess of 400 years old.
Immediately beside Smithy House runs Carlingwark Lane, a canal dug in 1765 from the Loch to the River Dee, to enable the export of marl, a soil improver dug from the Loch, via the harbour at Kirkcudbright. It was on this trade that the town of Castle Douglas was founded.
Whatever the truth about the cannon, the remains of a large forge were discovered in Smithy House in 1950, the massive granite lintel of which can still be seen in the guest sitting room.

A pleasant drive along the coastline of the Solway Firth will take you to Arbigland, the birthplace of John Paul Jones, the 18th century Father of the American Navy. Both the gardens and the house, which is furnished in the style of the 1700's, and includes an audio-visual programme about Jones, are open to the public.

Find us on Ecosse Unique Ltd then select "Dumfries and Galloway", "Castle Douglas" and finally "Practicalities."
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