More areas open to visitors at MacLellan's Castle in Kirkcudbright

Conservation work completed, revealing historic great hall

While some parts of the castle remain closed for ongoing conservation, visitors now have more access to the site's interiors.

Author: Ruth RidleyPublished 1st Sep 2026

Expanded Access to Historic Interiors

Essential conservation work at MacLellan's Castle in Kirkcudbright has allowed more of the historic site to reopen to the public.

Visitors can now explore the first floor kitchen and vaulted cellars, as well as the historic great hall upstairs, which features a monumental fireplace with a stone lintel nearly 4 metres long.

Behind this grand fireplace is a rare 'laird's lug,' a hidden closet used by the master of the house to eavesdrop on guests.

Conservation Efforts and Techniques

The conservation project focused on the castle's south stair area.

Decaying lintels have been restored with matching stone replacements, and repointing work has been completed alongside the replacement of a missing crow step.

Rosie Thorp, District Visitor and Community Manager for Dumfries and Galloway at Historic Environment Scotland, said:

"MacLellan's Castle is an iconic part of the Dumfries and Galloway landscape which continues to play a vital role in the local community, so I'm thrilled to be announcing increased access to the site's interiors.

Traditional skills such as stonemasonry have played a vital part in getting us to this stage, employing specialist techniques to conserve the site with minimal impact. Our stonemasons sourced sandstone that closely matched the site’s original stone, using the same techniques to dress the material as used by the castle’s original builders.

This work conserves MacLellan's Castle heritage and ensures it can continue to be enjoyed today and for many more centuries to come."

Historical Significance of MacLellan's Castle

MacLellan’s Castle, named after its first owner Sir Thomas MacLellan, dates back to the late 16th century.

The site was acquired following the Protestant Reformation in 1560, and by 1582, building was advanced enough for Sir Thomas to reside there.

The castle, once a stylish townhouse, entertained illustrious guests like James VI.

By the 18th century, the home lay abandoned, entering state care in 1912.

Some internal areas of the castle remain closed while vital conservation work continues.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.