Isle of Whithorn Castle
The castle, called "The Isle" in the 19th century, stands on elevated ground near the Drummulin Burn. The building is comparatively small and is nearly square in plan, although the principle of an 'L' shaped arrangement is retained. In the early 19th century it was the residence of the Superintendent of the Coastguard, Sir John Reid. The 'Captain's Garden' is an extension into the harbour, now with several houses on it, but originally a garden associated with the castle. Still called the Captain's Garden it is decorated with simulated man o'war gun ports. A one story servants quarters and outhouse is attached to the east of the castle.
Above the door of these quarters is a stone with the initials of Patrick Houston of Drummaston and his wife Margaret Gordon, together with the likely date of construction, 1674. This stone has been moved from the old entrance door of the main building. The angle turrets on the second floor are carried on three plain corbels and do not show at all in the inside of the building. A Gothic-style porch was once attached to the Drumelan burn side of the castle.
The Houston family were Hereditary Bailies and Barons of the Barony of Busby ( also spelt Busbie or Bysbie ) residing at Cottreoch ( spelt several ways, i.e. Cutreoch ), just south of Isle of Whithorn.
The Bysbie corn mill was located on the other side of the Drummulin Burn from the castle and a sizeable mill pond and sluice supplied the water power; the mill remains lie behind the Queen's Arms Hotel. A Chalybeate 'Spa Well' was located below the castle as shown by the 1850s 6 inch to the mile OS map.
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