Torthorwald Castle in Torthorwald, Scotland

The first castle at Torthorwald, Scotland was a basic earthwork motte-and-bailey structure constructed in the 12th century. By the 13th century, the land was owned by David Torthorwald. During the First War of Scottish Independence, some of his descendants allied with the English army, leading to the confiscation of the lands by King Robert the Bruce in 1306.

These lands were then granted to Sir John de Soules, who died in 1310. Humphrey de Kirkpatrick took possession of the property in 1326, initiating the construction of the stone castle that would become Torthorwald Castle.

In 1425, William Carlyle married a Kirkpatrick heiress, resulting in the transfer of Torthorwald Castle ownership to the Carlyle family. By 1544, Michael Lord Carlyle was residing there, but his tenure ended with a raid against his sister-in-law, Jonet Scrimgeour. Michael retained control of the castle until the late 16th century. In 1609, the property changed hands to Michael's half-brother from the Douglases of Parkhead family.

Archibald Douglas of Dornock was the last resident of the castle, living there until 1630. The 18th century saw the removal of the castle's roof, accelerating its decline into ruin. Conservation attempts were made over the following century, but in 1993, the north end of the tower collapsed, leaving Torthorwald Castle in its current forlorn state, perched on the outskirts of the village.