The first mention of the castle was in 1220, like all buildings it has
undergone changes over the years so that it contained all the
accomadation and amenities that a medieval laird could desire.
The tower was built in the late 15th century, probably by Alexander McCulloch, a close associate of King James IV.
The McCulloch
family of Myrton and Cardoness were
seemingly as tough as their castle but not so passive! The tower was
their residence until 1622 when the mortgaged estate was aquired by
the Gordens of Upper Ardwell, but
later members of the family voilently refused to accept the change of
ownership. At their hands in 1668 the sick widow of a Gordon laird
was dragged outside to die, and in 1697 a member of the same family
was shot and fatally wounded.
The tower has been uninhabited since the end of the 17th century.
