Auchen Castle Hotel

The original Auchen Castle castle, now a ruin, dates from 1220 and was built by Sir Humphrey de Kirkpatrick when he was Senestal of Annandale. The Kirkpatrick family, close allies of Robert the Bruce and King Robert, would have been entertained at Auchen Castle often. The Kirkpatrick clan has long since moved from their seat at Auchen Castle and their estates and holdings came under the ownership of the Clan Johnstone. The Johnstones remain Lords of Annandale to this day. The country house on the estate, also known as Auchen Castle, was largely completed in 1849 by General Johnstone. It reflects an Egyptian revival architectural style, inspired by his service under Sir Ralph Abercromby…

Auchen Castle is known for its architectural curiosities and its design is layered in symbolism, earning it the nickname, "Egypt". General Johnstone, who built the castle as it is today, served under Sir Ralph Abercromby in Egypt against the French in 1801 and it is thought that the design of the castle and the estate were laid out to show the positions of units in the Battle of the Nile. The floor plan is made up of two wings, running East to West and North to South. These two wings connect three corners of an isosceles triangle. At each of these corners there are three rooms of a similar design, with an octagonal box window in each with five sides of the octagon, showing on the outside,…