Airth Castle

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.

Airth Castle
Airth Castle, seen from the south
Coordinates56.06131°N 3.77138°W / 56.06131; -3.77138
Listed Building – Category A
Designated25 October 1972
Reference no.LB2102
Airth Castle is located in Falkirk
Airth Castle
Location of Airth Castle in Falkirk

History

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 destroyed after the defeat of King James III at Sauchieburn in 1488. 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.[1]

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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

Ghostlore

The castle, like many in the area, has a variety of ghostlore stories associated with it. These stories include:

  • Sightings of a nanny with two young children who are said to have died in a fire at the castle.
  • The sound of children playing being heard in rooms 3, 4, 9 and 23.
  • Heavy footsteps can be heard outside room 14 before suddenly stopping and disappearing.
  • People have also reported hearing cries and screams believed to be from a maid who was attacked by her master and left to die.
  • A ghost dog, with a predilection for biting ankles, is believed to roam the hallways.[5][6]
  • A groundsman reportedly haunts the lower floor of the castle.[7]

References
  1. Ian Scott, "Airth Castle" Archived 17 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Falkirk Local History Society, 2006.
  2. Joseph Bain, Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), p. 696.
  3. Historic Environment Scotland. "AIRTH CASTLE (Category A Listed Building) (LB2102)". Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  4. "Job losses as Airth Castle Hotel wedding venue closes", BBC News, 15 March 2023.
  5. "Ten of Scotland's most haunted hotels",The Scotsman, 29 July 2010, updated 11 August 2010, archived from the original on 18 September 2017.
  6. "Halloween happenings in your area", BBC Tayside and Central Scotland, 22 October 2010.
  7. "Airth Castle's green phantom appears in wedding photo", Daily Record, 11 November 2012, updated 22 October 2013.
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