Cardoness Castle stands on a promontory overlooking the Water of Fleet. It was built in the 15th century for the McCullochs, a powerful Galloway family who were frequently in dispute with their neighbours. They built a tower-house comfortable enough for people of their importance but also strong enough to defend during the local feuds they were so often at the centre of.

The tower-house has a vaulted basement that was divided into two floors for storage. Above this is the main hall which has a large fireplace and finely carved cupboards in the walls. Beside the fireplace is a salt-box where salt was stored to keep it dry. The storeys above the hall provided the private lodgings for the family. They have lost their original floors although more recently a wooden floor has been added near the top of the tower so that you can get a better view of the rooms.

Cardoness Castle was abandoned in the late 17th century following the execution of Sir Godfrey McCulloch for the murder of William Gordon of Buck.