Lochmaben Castle was originally a late 13th century earth and timber pele and bailey fortress, founded by King Edward I. Built in 1298-9 on a flat promontory which juts out into the loch, its was chosen as a stronger defensive site than Lochmaben Old Castle. In the mid 14th century, King Edward III founded the stone castle but still maintained the rectangular timber peel. The surviving stonework is 15th century but ramparts and ditches and the southern bailey which was apparently abandoned after the stone castle was built, are older. In 1455, it became a royal castle when retained by King James II and was then extensively rebuilt, when King James IV added a late 15th century Z-plan tower house. In 1542, the castle was used as a campaigning base by King James V but after the Union of the Crowns in 1603, it was not maintained. 5 miles south-west is Torthorwald Castle.