Barmagachan, built in the 17th century, is the oldest fortified house in the area. The house is located on a hill overlooking the coast of the Solway Firth.

The original ownership of the house is unknown. In the late 17th century however, the house belonged to the MacLellan's, part of a prominent local clan who occupied the castle in nearby Kirkcudbright. While the exact origins of the name Barmagachan have been forgotten over time, it is fondly remembered now as the "Hill of MacLellan". The picture above is the MacLellan plaque which used to be embedded in the house wall. It is now in Kirkandrews Cemetry.

The original part of the house has three feet deep walls and narrow windows designed for protection against the bitter winter winds. It faces south with an uninterrupted view of the sea. Adjacent to the east end of the house was a cow barn. In the early 1970s, when the Brown's purchased Barmagachan, they renovated the original house and converted the barn into a kitchen and dinning room. Also, under the guidance of an architect, they made several additions in order to make the house a more unique and inviting home. Take the house tour for a more detailed look at Barmagachan's accommodations.

In the field adjacent to Barmagachan is a motte of stone and earth constructed in Norman times. The motte served as a base for a wooden lookout tower which was used to watch the coast for approaching enemies.

View a slide show of Barmagachan and the area.