Sanquhar Castle

This impressive ruin was built in the 15^th century by the Crichton Family. Once a formidable defensive fortification guarding upper Nithsdale it was sold in the 17^th century to William Douglas 1^st Duke of Queensbury. He subsequently had Drumlanrig castle built ten miles south of here near Thornhill. It is said that he spent one night in his new home before deciding that he didn’t like it and returning to Sanquhar Castle where he stayed for the rest of his life.

A White Lady is supposed to haunt the castle. This is believed to be the spirit of a beautiful golden haired woman called Marion of Dalpeddar who disappeared while staying at the castle in 1590. Shortly after her disappearance the ghost of a young lady started to appear. In the 19^th century excavations at the castle revealed the skeleton of a young woman buried in unmarked ground just outside the castle.