NX0660 : Castle of St John, Stranraer
taken 13 years ago, near to Stranraer, Dumfries And Galloway, Scotland
The Castle of St. John, alternatively known as the Chapel or Stranraer Castle, is located in the centre of Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway. The castle was built in 1510 by Ninian Adair of Kilhurst (sometimes referred to as Adair of Kilhilt), one of the most powerful Lairds of Wigtownshire. Reference Link
It passed to the Kennedys in 1591, was a Dalrymple of Stair property from 1680 and eventually passed to public ownership in 1815 when it was purchased by the Burgh of Stranraer. Standing four storeys tall, it was also used as the town gaol between 1815 and 1907. Reference Link
Over the years the Castle has been a home, a military garrison and a prison, however in recent times the Castle of St. John was restored in 1988/89 by Wigtown District Council and reopened in 1990 as a Visitor Centre. Reference Link