Now ruinous, the castle was originally established in 1120 by Walter de Meshines as a motte and bailey, though the earliest surviving architectural work dates from the mid twelfth century with later additions and alterations. The great square gatehouse is believed to be of this era. Later there was built the keep in circular form on the motte, although this has all but vanished. Surviving curtain walls were badly damaged when Robert the Bruce raided the Castle on at least two occasions shortly after Bannockburn. The Castle finally met its end after the Rising of the North when it was slighted.
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