Robert Lyle, 1st Lord of Lyle

SIR ROBERT LYLE, who was created 1st. Lord Lyle by King James II, circa 1446. A great part of the ruins of Duchal Castle still remain, as do the old drawbridge and the draw-well.

Duchal Castle occupies a peninsula of rock almost entirely surrounded by a deep ravine through which runs the Green Water and a tributary, the Blacketty Water. The sides of the site are either perpendicular for a height of 20ft or very precipitous. The whole portion, measuring about 70 yds E-W by 30 yds transversely, has been enclosed by a strong enceinte wall, parts of which still remain. Outside the wall to the W, the neck of the peninsula has been cut across by a deep ditch. The entrance has probably been at the NW angle (A on plan). The general surface of the enclosure is fairly level, but at the SE angle a pinnacle rises 20 ft above the courtyard. On this stood the keep; its foundation, surrounded by a higher wall, can still be traced. The enceinte wall, although greatly demolished, has been of a much stronger character than an ordinary courtyard wall, and may represent the remains of a 13th century castle. The keep, however, is probably not so old, but it is too dilapidated to date accurately. It is most proably of 14th century date. The estate belonged to the Lyle family in the 13th century. The castle was garrisoned by the Earl of Lennox in 1488, and was beseiged by the King in 1489. The property passed to the Porterfields in 1544. D MacGibbon and T Ross 1889; A Millar 1889.

There are now only fragmentary remains of Duchal Castle, on a high rocky crag, round which ran a strong wall some 2m thick. The site is naturally defended on three sides by steep slopes, while a deep ditch has been cut on the W, isolating the castle.