Airth Castle | |
---|---|
![]() Airth Castle, seen from the south | |
Coordinates | 56°03′41″N3°46′17″W / 56.06131°N 3.77138°W |
Listed Building – Category A | |
Designated | 25 October 1972 |
Reference no. | LB2102 |
Airth Castle is a castle overlooking the village of Airth and the River Forth, in the Falkirk area of Scotland. Until 2023, the castle operated as a hotel and spa.
According to an account attributed to Blind Harry, in 1298 William Wallace attacked a previous wooden fortification on this site to rescue his imprisoned uncle, a priest from Dunipace. A later castle was burnt or destroyed after the defeat of King James III at Sauchieburn in 1488, and Robert Bruce of Airth was given £100 Scots towards rebuilding. [1] The southwest tower is the earliest part, dating to the period immediately thereafter. An extension was added on the east side in the mid 16th century. [2]
Airth Castle was owned by Falcones. Mary Bruce, a daughter of the laird of Airth, was a companion of Mary, Queen of Scots in England. [3] The family were Jacobite sympathizers who were forced to sell after the failure of the 1715 rising.
The castle is a major historic building that retains much medieval fabric. As such, Historic Environment Scotland has designated it a Category A listed building. [4] The ruins of the former parish church of Airth are within the grounds.
Airth Castle is owned by Airth Castle Limited and was operated by Airth Castle Hotel & Spa, a company formed in 2004. It was a popular wedding venue. The operator entered administration and ceased trading in March 2023. [5]
Parts of the Airth Castle Hotel building were destroyed when a fire broke out during the early hours of 23 September 2024. [6]
The castle, like many in the area, has a variety of ghostlore stories associated with it. These stories include: