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Bed of the Black Douglas
This page was last updated on 04 November 2025

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The Bed of Black Douglas

This large and historically significant bedstead is traditionally associated with Threave Castle, the principal stronghold of the Black Douglases during the 14th and 15th centuries. Following the siege and fall of the castle under James II, the bed is said to have been removed and subsequently passed through several distinguished families, including the Gordons of Lochinvar and the Greenlaws of Galloway.

Later acquired by the antiquarian Joseph Train, the bed’s provenance cannot be conclusively traced beyond the preceding century. Nonetheless, its construction and decoration suggest a considerably earlier origin. The rudely carved human figures exhibit characteristics reminiscent of medieval craftsmanship, while the framework is notably more refined in execution. Comparisons have been drawn between the carved features and those found on coinage from the reign of Alexander III (1249–1286), indicating the possibility of 13th-century origins.

Despite the absence of continuous documentation, the bed remains an object of considerable interest. Its symbolic association with the Douglas name and the turbulent history of Threave imbues it with both cultural and historical significance.




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    • Source


    Sources for this article include:
  • Scottish National memorials; edited by James Paton; 1890
  • The manuscript records of Mr. Train, the antiquarian friend and correspondent of Sir Walter Scott.
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    Last modified: Sunday, 08 March 2026