Cowthally Castle

Cowthally Castle, also known as Couthalley, is a ruined L-plan castle near Carnwath, Lanarkshire, Scotland. The remains are protected as a scheduled monument.^[1]

Cowthally Castle
Carnwath, Lanarkshire
Remains of Cowthally Castle
Site information
Controlled by	Clan Somerville
Location
Cowthally Castle Location of Cowthally Castle
Coordinates	55.7159°N 3.6392°W / 55.7159; -3.6392
Site history
Built	12th century

The castle appears to have been constructed in the 12th century, and was re-built in 1375. The castle passed to Sir John Somerville, 4th Baron of Linton through marriage in 1317 to Lady Elizabeth Douglas. The castle was altered and extended in 1415 and again in 1524. The castle was besieged in 1557 and was partially destroyed and was rebuilt in 1586.^[2]

The buildings at the Castle surviving in the 17th century were carefully described by the James Somerville in his family history; the Memorie of the Somervilles.^[3] James Somerville claims that James IV came to Cowthally for a wedding "infare" in 1489 or the second year of his reign.^[4]

Mary, Queen of Scots stayed at Cowthally Castle on 24 August 1563.^[5]