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Lochmaben is a village in south Scotland, 8
miles east of Dumfries, 4 miles west of Lockerbie.
The village is best known as the home of the
Bruce's, the family that gained the throne of
Scotland in the early 1300s under Robert the
Bruce, with their descendants being the
Stuart's that ruled Scotland and England, with
the top attractions being the Castle ruins,
watersports and golf. Lochmaben Road
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The image top is looking west along the High
Street towards the Town Hall, with a Statue of
Robert Bruce in front.
The Town Hall was built in the early 1700s
containing a Shop, Jail, and a Court House. The
Steeple was added in 1741.
Part of The Town Hall was a Tolbooth, and
there used to be Stocks and Neck Irons at the
front of the building to hold Prisoners.
The Kings Arms Hotel is next to the Town
Hall, now run as a Pub for Meals. The Crown Hotel for
Accommodation and Meals is just round the
corner on Bruce Street.
The image fourth top is looking west along
the High Street towards Lochmaben Church of
Scotland built around 1820. The Churches
Bruce Bell and Popes Bell are claimed to date
to the time of Robert the Bruce.
The War Memorial, Park, Tennis, Bowling, and
Annandale Sailing
Club are all in the Park behind the Church
next to Castle Loch.
Visitors can use the Bowling, Tennis and
Fishing on Castle Loch, more information:
Website.
The Bowling Club car park has a spot for
launching your own Canoes or Boats as seen
right, and a Path from there runs round to
Lochmaben Castle, under 1 mile in distance.
You can also drive round to the Castle where
there is a car park.
Lochmaben Golf
Club is on the south side of the Village
with views over Kirk Loch. This is a scenic
5,996 yard - par 70 Parks Course that welcomes
visitors.
Lchmaben History
1160s - the first Lochmaben Castle was built
where the Golf Course is today. That Castle was
the main home of the Bruce Clan, Lords of
Annandale.
1271 - Robert Bruce married Marjorie -
Countess of Carrick from Turnberry
Castle. The Bruce Clan then made Turnberry
in Carrick / Ayrshire their main home. Bruce
and Marjorie had five sons and five daughters,
one being Robert the Bruce, future King of
Scotland.
1298 - the original Castle at Lochmaben was
captured by Edward I of England. Edward then
had the second, larger Lochmaben Castle built 1
mile southeast by Castle Loch. The original
Castle was abandoned at that time.
1299 - the new Castle managed to hold off an
attack by Robert the Bruce during the First War
of Scottish Independence.
1306 - Robert the Bruce captured the Castle,
but it was retaken by the English soon
after.
1314 - the Castle was retaken by Bruce after
the Scots defeated the English at the Battle
of Bannockburn, the Battle that led to
Scottish Independence.
1333 - the English took control of the
Castle again during the Second War of Scottish
Independence, a War to try and overthrow David
II, son of Robert the Bruce.
1357 - the Treaty of Berwick ended the
Second War of Scottish Independence with David
II retaining the throne of Scotland.
1385 - the 3rd Earl of Douglas took control
of Lochmaben Castle after removing the English
that had held on to the Castle.
1455 - James II took control of the Castle
after his War with the Douglas. The Douglas
were accused of trying to overthrow the King so
they could control Scotland themselves.
1542 - the Scots Army of James V used the
Castle in the lead up to the Battle of Solway
Moss where the Scots were defeated by
forces of Henry VIII of England, a battle over
James V refusing to break from the Catholic
Church.
1565 - Mary Queen of Scots stayed at the
Castle whilst on one of her many Tours.
1588 - The Maxwell's took control of the
Castle as they set about trying to overthrow
James VI.
1588 - James VI captured the Castle from the
Maxwell's. David Maxwell and five others were
hung in front of the Castle gates.
1603 - James VI became King of England and
Scotland, leading to peaceful times. Lochmaben
Castle fell into disrepair from this time. The
Ruins are now a popular Visitor Attraction.
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