Caerlaverock Castle Caerlaverock Castle is a moat ed triangular castle first built in the 13th century . It is located on the southern coast of Scotland , south of Dumfries , on the edge of the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve . Caerlaverock was a stronghold of the Maxwell family from the 13th century until the 17th century when the castle was abandoned . It was besieged by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence , and underwent several partial demolitions and reconstructions over the 14th and 15th centuries . In the 17th century , the Maxwells were created Earls of Nithsdale , and built a new lodging within the walls , described as among " the most ambitious early classical domestic architecture in Scotland " . In 1640 the castle was besieged for the last time and was subsequently abandoned . Although demolished and rebuilt several times , the castle retains the distinctive triangular plan first laid out in the 13th century . Caerlaverock Castle was built to control trade in early times . Today , the castle is in the care of Historic Scotland and is a popular tourist attraction . It is protected as a scheduled monument , and as a category A listed building . Ownership . The history of its builders can be traced to Undwin and his son Maccus in the eleventh century ; Maccus gave his name to the barony of Maccuswell , or Maxwell . His grandson , John de Maccuswell ( d . 1241 ) , was first Lord Maxwell of Caerlaverock . The Baronies of Maxwell and Caerlaverock then passed down through the male line , sometimes collaterally . Robert de Maxwell of Maxwell , Caerlaverock and Mearns ( d . 1409 ) rebuilt Caerlaverock castle and was succeeded by Herbert Maxwell of Caerlaverock ( d . 1420 ) History . The present castle was preceded by several fortifications in the area : a Roman fort on Ward Law Hill and a British hill fort that was in use around 950 . The earliest mention of the lands of Caerlaverock is around 1160 , when they were granted to the monks of Holm Cultram Abbey . Around 1220 Alexander II of Scotland granted the lands to Sir John Maxwell , making him Warden of the West March . Sir John Maxwell also served as Chamberlain of Scotland from 1231 – 1233 , and began work on the first castle at Caerlaverock . This castle was square in shape and was one of the earliest stone castles to be built in Scotland . It had a moat with a bridge facing north . Only the foundations and remains of a wooden enclosure around it remain . This early castle may have been incomplete when it was abandoned in favour of a rock outcrop some to the north . It was here that Sir John ' s brother Sir Aymer Maxwell began construction of the present castle . Sir Aymer also served as Chamberlain in 1258 – 1260 , and was Justiciar of Galloway in 1264 . In the 1270s the " new " castle was completed , and Herbert Maxwell , nephew of John Maxwell , occupied it . Wars of Independence . In 1299 , the garrison of Caerlaverock attacked Lochmaben Castle which was held by English forces . In July 1300 , Edward I of England marched north with eighty - seven of the Barons of England in his host , as well as knights of Brittany and Lorraine . The Maxwells , under their chief , Sir Eustace Maxwell , made a vigorous defence that repelled the English several times . In the end the garrison were compelled to surrender , after which it was found that only sixty men had defied the whole English army for a considerable period . In recent years , Historic Scotland has organised re - enactment s of the Siege . During the siege the English heralds composed a roll of arms , the " Roll of Caerlaverock " , in the form of verses of poetry , each describing the feats of valour of each noble and knight present , with a blazon of his armorials . Possession of the castle was subsequently restored to Sir Eustace Maxwell , Sir Herbert ' s son , who at first embraced the cause of John Balliol , and in 1312 received from Edward II an allowance of £20 for the more secure keeping of the castle . He afterwards gave in his adherence to Robert Bruce , and his castle , in consequence , underwent a second siege by the English , in which they were unsuccessful . Fearing that this important stronghold might ultimately fall into the hands of the enemy , and enable them to make good their hold on the district , Sir Eustace dismantled the fortress , a service and sacrifice for which he was liberally rewarded by Robert Bruce . By 1337 the castle was once again inhabited , and Sir Eustace now changed sides again , giving his support to Edward Balliol . Around 1355 Sir Roger Kirkpatrick of Closeburn captured Caerlaverock for David II of Scotland , and partly dismantled the castle . Repair and rebuilding . By the end of the Wars of Independence in the mid 14th century , Caerlaverock had been regained by the Maxwells , with Sir Robert Maxwell rebuilding much of the castle between 1373 and 1410 . Further work was undertaken by Robert , 2nd Lord Maxwell , in the mid 15th century , probably involving reconstruction of the gatehouse . A new west range was added within the walls around 1500 . The Catholic Maxwells took up the cause of Mary , Queen of Scots , after her forced abdication in 1567 . Caerlaverock was besieged in 1570 by an English Protestant force led by the Earl of Sussex , and was again partly demolished , including the destruction of the gatehouse with gunpowder . By 1593 , John , 8th Lord Maxwell was repairing the castle again , building up the gatehouse for defence against the Johnstones of Annandale , with whom the Maxwells were feuding . The 8th Lord was killed by the Johnstones during a fight at Dryfe Sands , and in 1613 the 9th Lord Maxwell was executed for the revenge murder of Sir James Johnstone . Earls of Nithsdale . In 1619 Robert , 10th Lord Maxwell , married Elizabeth Beaumont , cousin of the Duke of Buckingham , a favourite of James VI of Scotland . He was subsequently created Earl of Nithsdale and appointed to the Privy Council of Scotland . To reflect his new status he built the elaborate south and east ranges within the castle , known as the Nithsdale Lodging . The new ranges were completed around 1634 , but further religious turmoil soon turned against the Catholic Maxwells . In 1640 the Protestant Covenanter army besieged Caerlaverock for 13 weeks , eventually forcing its surrender . The south wall and tower were demolished , and the castle was never repaired or reoccupied . Protected areas . Caerlaverock Castle is within the Nith Estuary National Scenic Area , protected for its scenic qualities , with the castle recognised as a landmark of the area . The castle is at the northern edge of the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve , which extends to and consists of saltmarsh , mudflats and grazing land . It is an internationally important wintering site for waterfowl and wading birds , including the Barnacle Goose .