Bothal Castle Gatehouse And Adjacent Wing To West

This is a castle gatehouse, likely constructed around 1343 when Robert Bertram received permission to fortify the site, and a later adjacent wing. The gatehouse was restored from a ruined state between 1830 and 1831, while the wing, incorporating some medieval stonework, was added around 1858. Further extensions and heightening occurred in 1909, with 19th and early 20th century work undertaken for the Sample family, who acted as agents for the Duke of Portland. The building is constructed of squared stone with cut dressings, featuring a lead roof and Lakeland slate coverings on the wing.

The gatehouse is rectangular with semi-octagonal turrets flanking the entrance on the north side, and a rectangular south-west stair turret. The north elevation presents three storeys and three bays, with an additional two-bay wing to the right. The central arch is moulded and pointed, containing a portcullis slot. Above it is a 2-light window with trefoiled lights and a quatrefoil spandrel, followed by a 3-light square-headed window with a transom. The flanking turrets have 3-light windows, predominantly from the 19th century, with single-light loops at ground floor level on the left. A crenellated parapet is topped with gargoyles, displaying contemporary heraldry and two worn stone figures. The inner return of each turret shows blocked, shoulder-arched doorways, probably dating to the early 19th century. The two-bay wing to the right has 3-light mullioned windows (some blocked on the 2nd floor) and a crenellated parapet. The left return of the gatehouse exhibits an original 2-light window on the 1st floor and a 3-light transomed window above.

The south elevation, facing the bailey, displays a double-chamfered arch. Above it is an original 2-light window, alongside a 15th-century 2-light transomed window with panel-traceried tracery, which was brought from Cockle Park Tower during the 1830-31 restoration. 3- and 4-light transomed windows are visible on the 2nd floor, the latter a late 19th-century addition. Small loops are located to the right, and within the taller projecting stair turret on the left. The wing to the left is four storeys high, with three bays, featuring a projecting embattled porch with a moulded arch, along with 2-, 3- and 4-light mullioned windows, a portion of which are transomed. A two-storey extension on the far left projects beyond the line of the curtain wall.

Internally, the gate passage features a pointed rib vault with four murder-holes, blocked shouldered doorways in each wall, and two chamfered loops on the west. Ground floor chambers are vaulted with round-arched rib vaults. The 1st-floor chamber has segmental ribbed rear arches to the original windows, some with window seats. A newel stair is capped by a ribbed umbrella vault, with shoulder-arched doorways. The wing contains an open-well, closed-string stair with turned balusters. The 1st-floor drawing room contains a 15th-century fireplace with an embattled lintel – also brought from Cockle Park – along with oak panelling originally from an East India Company ship. One wall and the stair feature plasterwork imitating panelling.

Historically, the Bertram family held lordship of the estate from the late 12th century until 1406, when it passed to the Ogles. Sir John Ogle was besieged at the castle by his elder brother, Sir Robert, who briefly seized the castle before being forced to return it.