This little gem of a castle ruin is just off the M6, nestled between Gretna Green and Lockerbie. The castle is tucked away alongside the River Annon and can be accessed either by foot or vehicle.
As you drive towards the entrace from Ecclefechan to the castle you cross over the River
Annon a beautiful stretch of water and much favoured for fishing or walkers.
The Annondale Way passes through this area and is a beautiful walk from Annon to Moffat - if you have the time!
The drive up to the castle is a one way road through woodland, with many footpaths surrounding it. As you round the final bend one of the castle's entryways suddenly comes into view and what a pretty impressive structure.
The castle itself has had much happen to it, originally the land belonged to the Herries family who were allies of the Bruce family, who were Lords of Annandale from 1124. It was then passed to the Carruthers and subsequently to the Maxwells.
Sir John Maxwell who acquired Hoddom, built Hoddom Castle as part of a line of defensive structres and was completed by him in the 1560s. The castle appears not to have been built as a residence, but more likely as a barracks for the troopers to defend the border, and being less than half a mile from Repentance Tower - it seems the two were built in tandem -this may very well be the case. The tower walls at the ground level are between 9 and 15ft thick!! The castle stood in the northern corner of a four-sided courtyard, which had round towers of two stories at each of the other three angles.
In 1626 the castle was sold by Sir John Maxwell's grandson and was subsequently extended with additional levels and distinctive pinnacle roofs over the corner rounds, the whole series of extensions have scarred the exterior stone work, but further changes of ownership ended up with Hoddom being rented out, until the second world war when the castle and grounds were requisitioned and allied servicemen lived in the extensive structure - some evidence of this is still visible in the surounding woodlands.
In the 1950s the manions fell into disrepair which prompted the demolition of all the victorian addditions and just left the 16th and 17th century towerhouse.
The land surrouding the castle is now a camping & caravan park and the castle makes an excellent backdrop. The campsite itself is quite a large one, with plenty of accommodation options from tents, to pitches to hobbit-style pods. But with plenty of space and is very relaxed, quiet and dog friendly! Makes a perfect pit-stop when travelling north or south and offers a wide range of accommodation. Encompasing a shop, restuarant & bar, situated in parts of the castle and a 9 hole golf course, there's also fishing passes available.
Hoddom Castle has a lot of history and beauty and is definately worth having a look at, and there are lots to explore in and around the Castle, and although it is not open to the public, it is still a very pretty ruin, very picturesque and idylically situated, so if you are in the area go check it out.
Thanks for reading,
Fred & Em
Comments