Â鶹APP

The exterior of Comlongon Castle photo by –

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Comlongon Castle

Comlongon Castle is a tower house from the later 15^th or 16^th century. Its located in the village of Clarence field southwest of Scotland. The original tower has been extended by the addition of a baronial-style mansion completed in 19000.

It was originally built by the Murray s and stayed in their hands till 1984. The castle has been restored, having been vacant for some time, the mansion and castle are now a hotel. Get more insight into the castle through the top ten interesting facts about Comlongon castle.

1 . The castle was owned by the prestigious Rudolf family

Comlongon lands were originally part of the lordship of Nithsdale which was owned by the Rudolf family. Thomas Rudolf of Nithsdale was made earl of Murray by his uncle, Robert Bruce in 1312.

Later Randolph granted the land of Comlongon to his nephew, William Murray of cock pool, a castle near the south. The castle bears some resemblance to Borthwick castle built in 1430.

John Murray of Cockpool prospered his father Cuthbert in 1493. It’s believed that he was the one who built the castle at Comlongon, though the first mention of the castle is in the year 1508.

The records of 1501 show a license showing granted permission for a new castle to replace an existing castle, making historians point to the castle being built earlier than its first mention in 1508.

In 1681, David Murray, viscount of Stormont, had the authorization to mention the tower and Fortalice of companion. The family also owned Balvarid castle and sconed place.

In 1984, William Murray 8^th earl of Mansfield sold the castle, and the mansion was then restored and the tower is part of a hotel now.

2. The castle is associated with the Legends of the haunting ghost of a green lady

Grand stairway in Comlongon Castle photo by Sybeck –

The Comlongon castle is said to be haunted by a green lady, believed to be the spirit of lady Marion Caruthers of mold. The haunted story may be a fragment of human imagination from the feudal history of the castle but the shadow of haunts holds a backbone of real history.

The Lady was heir to her father’s property. she became a victim of the betrothal marriage which sir James of Douglas of drumming, whom she didn’t love.

In 1563 Simon Carruthers father of lady Marion died powerful baron James Douglas desired to add the mouwald estate to his extensive land of Drumlanrig.

A battle for the lady hands in marriage broke between two barons, Douglas and lord Maxwell with their aim pointing to the inheritance of the Comlongon estate. 

The lady sought help from her uncle, William Murray but she was sued by baron Douglas making him win the case. The distressed lady jumped off the top of the castle to her death.

3. The castle  of Comlongon was surrendered during the English invasion

In 1547, the castle was surrendered to the English by Patrick Murray, tutor of Cockpool, who was fortified for treason. A month later it was retrieved by the master of Maxwell.

In 1650 the lands and barony were apprehended again, their heir at that time was the childless Laird in 1658. Though only been a secondary home, Comlongon was maintained and taken care of by the family till 1979.

The roof remained standing until at least 1792 and was home to the faction at that time. In 1902 the 18th-century mansion was destroyed and the present baronial building replaced it.

4. It was used as a Barnados children’s home during the world wars

When the war was declared in September 1939, careful plans and evacuation of children from areas deemed vulnerable to enemy bombing. The government pleaded with owners of large country houses to take in the children for safety.

The century medieval castle was used as a Barnados children’s home during the 2^nd world war taking as far as orphans from Liverpool.

5. There  is an elegant fireplace at Comlongon castle

 The hall of the castle is dominated by a large fireplace, with a craving of royal arms of Scotland above it. There is a ceremonial recess with a curled cinquefoil that beautifies the relative wealth of the Murrays. There is a separate fireplace at the opposite end of the hall.

Comlongon Castle (Hotel) Comlongon Castle photo by Darrin Antrobus— 

Heraldic emblems are imprinted onto several projecting corbels. The western parapet was roofed before the year 1624 when a surviving inventory was taken, creating a gallery with crow-shaped gables.

6. There is a red stone tower at the castle

Comlongon has a red stone tower which is approximately 15m and 18m high to the corbelled parapet. the entrance to the tower with its iron yet still intact today is reached by external stairs leading up.

The main stair which is at the northeast tower leads up to a cap house at parapet level. The second one serves at the high table end of the first-floor hall.

The basement features o a large single vault divided into 2 levels by wooden entresol, at the center of which is a well.

7. There are remarkable walls at Comonlong castle

The walls of the castle are its most remarkable feature which are over 4m thick in places and have many interconnecting chambers.

The thick walls are riddled with 12 mural chambers including bed recesses as well as a guardroom, a cell, and a trap door that leads to the dark dungeon below.

The existence of these rooms within the walls reduces the general strength of the tower, Which had to be reinforced to support the heavyweight of the roof.

 8. Comonlong castle was put up for sale by William Murray

Garden view from Comlongon Castle Photo by Sybeck –

During the 1970s the castle was posted for sale. but no willing buyer came forward to purchase it .in 1977 the north wing representing a third of the property was destroyed to make the building commercially appealing.

It wasn’t until 1984 when William Murray 8^th earl of Mansfield sold it to Tony Ptotomey. It took him 7 years to renovate the house and tower to turn it into a hotel.

In April 2019 the hotel was turned into administration and was no longer a site for events and celebration.

9. The  castle has undergone many renovations since its first construction

The Comonlong castle was once surrounded by a walled courtyard, and a ditch possibly a moat. This was later removed in the 18^th century when there was an addition of a manor house to the east side of the tower.

Between 1890 and 1902, the manor was replaced by the modern Scottish baronial mansion.

 10. The castle was used as a popular wedding hall

Comlongon Castle (Hotel) Comlongon Castle. Photo by Darrin Antrobus –

the castle has been an enchanting site to conduct wedding ceremonies and alluring people with its charming medieval feel. Many weddings and ceremonies have been held in this beautiful castle. Today the hotel has been turned into an administration one.