House & Family History: Blind Harry's story of William Wallace suggests he may have captured Lochleven from the English; the castle was certainly in Scottish hands when Robert the Bruce came here in 1313 and again in 1323. Robert Stuart, later King Robert II, the first of the royal house of Stuart, was imprisoned by King David II in Lochleven in 1369. Robert II later granted the castle to Sir Henry Douglas; the Douglases held the castle until the 17th century. It was at Lochleven in 1567 that Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned and forced to abdicate after her marriage to the Earl of Bothwell. A month after her arrival, Mary miscarried twins, the progeny of Lord Bothwell. Lochleven Castle was turned over to the government in 1939 and is today managed by Historic Environment Scotland.

House Listed: Scheduled Ancient Monument

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, 14th century; William Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton, 16th century; Douglas family here from the 14th century until 1675. Sir William Bruce, 1675-1710.

Current Ownership Type: Historic Environment Scotland

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 07767-651-566

Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot

Historic Houses Member: No