While I waited to use the computer at the Castle Douglas Library, I looked around and came across a whole shelf of copies of The Annals of Lincluden Abbey. While leafing through a few of the volumes I found an interesting story about how Marjorie, the widowed Countess of Carrick, feeling a bit lonely, saw a likely looking young man riding through her domain. She had him captured and brought to her castle of Turnberry, where she held him captive until he agreed to marry her.... Their first born son was Robert the Bruce, the future king.

I always thought this story to be just one of those tales, but finding it in the annals of an ancient nunnery, and dating back to the same time in history, lends the patina of truth.

I always considered this story to be one of those interesting little myths that spring up from time to time, but as you say Liz there might just be some truth in it... then again, even back then, the writers weren't immune from spicing their stories up a bit!

Well Bruce, think of it this way, there are plenty of tales of men abducting an heiress to force her into marriage. Why shouldn't a Lady have come up with a similar idea? More power to her.

I live a few miles from Turnberry, didnt know about a castle there. Will have to go and havea look for it, get some photographs if anything is left.

As far as I know, there's very little left of the castle... however it should be easy to find as someone's built a huge lighthouse where it used to be!

You need to cross the golf course to get to the castle and lighthouse, but there is a road of sorts.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/m ... index.html

Interesting to stumble across this subject (Turnberry Castle) having just returned from a holiday in the area and wasting a whole morning trying to get to the said 'castle'. The lighthouse is clearly visible from miles away but it seemed the closest one can get to it is the Turnberry Golf Course ... lots of strange looks as I attempted to find a way across the course to the lighthouse (and castle ruins) ... no joy, gave up (any roads that looked like they may give access were 'gated roads' and gates were shut / locked?)

I also found it very strange that there were no road signs directing you to the ruins ... the 'castle' was going to be a highlight for me but gave up feeling cheated and angry ... why make reference to the 'castle' in all guide books if there is no help getting to the site.

I know Turnberry is in Ayrshire but I have to say that I was very disappointed with, not only the above, but also Dumfries & Galloway in general as well. It was 'nice' but 'nice' isn't enough for me ... Scotland is dramatic in my eyes - D&G wasn't.

thanks, from seeing whats left, I think I will leave it just now. dont fancy treking across a golf course lol. Might see if I can get to it when I am at the Open next year.

I love looking into stories like this: Scottish Mythtory.

What I don't understand is, with all the history we have why do we not make it easier for tourists to delve into it?

There was quite a bit of controversy this year about St John's Tower in Ayr. It was locked up, but tours were advertised.

Advertising Burns Trails, Castles, Country Estates, etc, and then hiding them or locking gates to them, what's all that about.

Is it that some parts of south west Scotland don't want visitors?

Come on south west, visitors mean jobs.

Cheers, Aulyin