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Imposing island castle ready to let visitors back within its walls

News imageLee Haggarty A large stone castle tower in among long grass with a blue sky aboveLee Haggarty
Visitors have not been allowed inside Threave Castle for four years

An imposing castle built on an island in a south of Scotland river is to let visitors back inside for the first time in four years.

The interior of Threave Castle near Castle Douglas has been shut while specialist teams carried out inspections and conservation work on its stonework.

Repairs were also carried out and a safe access route created through its ground floor.

The grounds - which are reached by boat - have been accessible since April this year but the interior will now reopen from this weekend.

News imageLee Haggarty A small boat in the River Dee halfway across to the island on which the imposing Threave Castle standsLee Haggarty
Visitors access the castle by boat across the River Dee

Visitors cross the River Dee by boat to reach the castle - which was built by Archibald "The Grim" in 1369 as a stronghold for the infamous Black Douglas family.

Its tower house stands at 110ft (30m) tall.

The island sits within a wetland nature reserve, and the castle is at the heart of a "thriving natural ecosystem" and a rich variety of birdlife.

Malcolm Price, monument manager, said: "Threave Castle is an incredibly special place with a fascinating history, and we are excited to welcome visitors not just to the island but now inside the castle walls too.

"Once the home of the infamous Black Douglas family, the castle was fitted with formidable battlements - which visitors can still see the remnants of today.

"The artillery wall, which was state-of-the-art in its time, kept King James II's forces at bay during the siege of 1455.

"Conservation work is vital to ensuring visitors can continue to enjoy our sites for years to come, and it's wonderful that Threave Castle can once again welcome people through its doors."