600 years of history

1314

On the 25th June 1314, the day after the battle of Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce granted the Barony of Plane to John D’Erth in recognition for his families support. Thomas D’Erth, Johns father, had been killed fighting for Robert the Bruce and this was a reward for his families sacrifice.

At some point after this date a wooden tower was constructed on the site of the current tower.

1449

The Barony passed to Lady Elizabeth D’Erth who married Thomas Somerville and in 1449 the replaced the wooden tower by building the stone tower that exists today. The tower still has many of its original features.

1529

In 1529 the 5th Lord of www.planecastle.co.uk, Thomas Somerville, built the Manor House and so the history of www.planecastle.co.uk castle, Baronial House of the Somervilles commenced. The current Manor House was restored using the contemporary drawings from this time.

1566

Between 1566 &1567 Mary Queen of Scots is believed to have visited the castle several times whilst travelling between Stirling and Falkirk to visit her infant son James VI who was being held in nearby Stirling Castle.

1643

In 1643 James Somerville, the 8th Lord of Plane, fell heavily into debt and sold both the Castle and the Barony. For the next 200 years the castle functioned as a farm and mill. Much of the Manor was dismantled at this time.

NPG 5517; Prince Charles Edward Stuart by Louis Gabriel Blanchet

1746

While the Jacobite army was laying siege to Stirling Bonnie Price Charlie lay ill for three weeks at nearby Bannockburn House. His Royal Body Guard were billeted at Plane Castle and it is reputed that Charles Stewart visited Plane Castle around this time.

1908

Sir David Menzies restores the tower and what was left of the Manor. The Castle is once again inhabited with Sir David Menzies seeing himself as “Lord of the Manor” and local children gave him the nickname “cock-a-bendy” much to his annoyance. The castle is still to this day known to locals as cock-a-bendy castle. The image you see opposite is a water colour done by Sir David Menzies of Plane Castle.

1930’s & 1940’s

Sir David Menzies died in the late 1930’s and the Castle fell again into disuse with only the ground floor of the manor, the tower and Guards Cottage still in use.

1950’s

Castle falls into ruin and is uninhabited.

1991

Plane Castle was bought by John Patrick Wright and his wife Nancy as a crumbling ruin with a plan to fully restore the castle and its grounds.

1997

The restoration is complete with the Manor House, Tower, Guards Cottage and the gardens now a beautiful family home.