Cardoness Castle is a 15th century six-storey fortified towerhouse. The ruins are located on a high rocky outcrop that was then surrounded on three sides by water. The land approach was so easily defendable that it didn't require any barmkin or curtain wall.

It was built by the notorious Clan McCulloch whom gained the land through marriage. Even by the turbulent  standards of the Middle Ages the McCullochs were well known for their lawlessness, such as theft, extortion and murder. The castle was forfeited and eventually fell into ruin after Sir Godfrey McCulloch was executed in 1684.