Corra Castle

Ruined 16th-century castle in Scotland

55°39′12″N 3°46′41″W / 55.653394°N 3.777935°W / 55.653394; -3.777935Site informationOwnerScottish Wildlife TrustConditionRuinedSite historyBuilt1572 (1572)MaterialsRubble masonry^[1]

Corra Castle (also known as Corrax, Corax or Corehouse Castle)^[1] is a ruined 16th-century castle within the Corehouse Estate near New Lanark, Scotland. It overlooks Corra Linn, one of the four waterfalls which make up the Falls of Clyde. In 1967 it became a scheduled monument.^[2]

The site was chosen because it was seen as being impregnable, as it is surrounded by sharp cliffs on three sides.^[3] It features a ha-ha as part of its design, offering an unobstructed view of the surrounding countryside.^[4]

Corra Castle was at one time the residence to one of the branches of the notable family of Somerville. In his 1832 book, The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, David Brewster wrote:

...and directly above the upper fall, stands the ruinous castle of Corra, formerly the residence of a family of the name of Somerville...^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b "Corra Castle". Canmore. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Corra Castle (SM2597)". Retrieved 19 February 2019.
^ "Corra Castle". Clydesdale's Heritage. Lanark and District Archaeological Society. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
^ Preston, Laura (12 May 2016). "Behind the red door - Inside Corra Castle". Scottish Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
^ Brewster, David (1832). The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia Vol XI (First American ed.). Philadelphia: Joseph and Edward Parker. p. 662. Retrieved 3 October 2018.