Places to visit

Culzean Castle

Etching of Culzean Castle by James Fittler from Scotia Depicta, published 1804

Culzean Castle is a castle overlooking the Firth of Clyde. It is near Maybole, Carrick (Scottish Gaelic: Am Magh Baog, A' Charraig). This is on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland about nine miles south from Ayr. This site is now owned by the National Trust and was once the home of the Marquess of Ailsa. The present eighteenth century building designed by Robert Adam is built on the site of a previous house. The house is in a spectacular location on the cliffs above the Firth of Clyde and in extensive grounds. The castle is open from the beginning of April until the end of October and the country park and gardens all year round. The castle includes a large drum tower, large oval staircase and military exhibitions.

Auchans House - Old Auchans

Auchans Castle near Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland. The Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland by R. W. Billings published Published in 15th October 1901.

The ruins of Auchans House or Old Auchans House are located about a mile west from the village of Dundonald (Scottish Gaelic: Dun Dhomhnaill) in South Ayrshire, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir a Deas, Alba). This is north from Ayr (Inbhir Air) and east along the A759 road. It dates from the 16th-century and originally belonged to the Clan Wallace, then passed along the family line to the Cochrane family who later became the Earls of Dundonald. It afterwards came into the possession of the Clan Montgomery/Montgomerie. It remained in the hands of the Montgomery family, but by the mid-19th century was mainly inhabited by workers and tenants and fell increasingly into ruin. 

Dundonald Castle

Dundonald Castle in 1903

The remains of Dundonald Castle stand on the site of an Iron Age Hillfort. Three subsequent castles have stood on the hill but nothing survives from the first twelfth century earthwork and timber structure. There are some remains of the thirteenth century castle including the well and part of the tower. The castle that can be seen today is the third fourteenth century castle with later fifteenth century extensions. The site is above the village of Dundonald/Dun Dhomhnaill south from the A579 road in Ayrshire. It is open to the public from April until October. A footpath also connects Dundonald Castle and Auchans house.

Craigie Castle - Caisteil Chreagaidh

Craigie Castle, the Keep, Riccarton, East Ayrshire, Scotland

Craigie Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteil Chreagaidh)  is located about 1 mile southeast of the village of Craigie and 4 miles southeast of Kilmarnock  (Scottish Gaelic: Cille Mheàrnaigand). The ruined castle is in the council area of  South Ayrshire, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir a Deas, Alba). The very ruined remains of Craigie Castle stand on a grassy knoll which appears to have been surrounded by a ditch. The present ruins are thought to date mainly from the 15th century. However, some 12th or 13th century stonework are included in the structure, which point to it having started as a hall house and possibly an even earlier building. 

Dunure Castle

Dunure Castle, Ayrshire, 1840. Source Wilson Land of Burns 1840.

The ruins of this thirteenth century castle built by the Clan Kennedy is located on a promontory on the Carrick coast. The remains seen today are from the fifteenth and sixteenth century. The site is in South Ayrshire (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir a Deas), about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the town of Ayr (Inbhir Àir). The ruined castle overlooks the small coastal village of Dunure (Dùn Iùbhair).

Greenan Castle

Greenan Castle and Ayr Bay William Muir (1828–1910) image courtesy of South Ayrshire Council.

Greenan Castle stands at the top of a cliff that was once the site of a promontory fort. It is ruined tower house located around 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south-west of Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Àir, Siorrachd Inbhir Àir a Deas, Alba). A motte-and-bailey castle was constructed here in the 12th century. Then in the 15th century a tower house was built by the Lords of the Isles. The title Lord of the Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Triath nan Eilean or Rìgh Innse Gall) is a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. They were island chiefs whose history goes back to the Norse-Gaels who once ruled the islands of Scotland, Isle of Man and Argyll. Greenan Castle later passed into the hands of the Kennedy family.

Seagate Castle

Seagate Castle from the north-east, Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland. Source Muniments of Royal Burgh of Irvine by Roger Griffith - W. Galloway 1890.

Seagate Castle is close to the River Irvine (Scottish Gaelic: Irbhinn) and is located in the town of Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Irbhinn, Siorrachd Àir a Tuath, Alba). The structure as seen today dates from the 16th-century. However, it is thought to be the third  castle that has occupied this site. The first prior to 1184 which would have been a wooden castle tower or motte. It was strengthened and rebuilt in stone in the 1360s and further remodelled and added to in 1565 by Hugh the 3rd Earl of Eglinton. It is now a building incorporating a mixture of styles including castle and mansion house. It fell into disrepair from around 1746 onwards. 

Stane Castle

Stanecastle, Irvine, North Ayrshire. 2007. Scotland via en.wikipedia.

 Stane Castle is a tower house built in the fourteenth century and renovated in the eighteenth century. It was built for William Montgomery, son of Hugh Montgomery, first Earl of Eglinton. Repairs were made to the house in 1750 by Alexander, 10th Earl of Eglinton, The four open and four closed pointed windows were constructed for appearance only at this time. An armorial panel stone with the Earl of Eglinton's arms was put up on the west side of the building when this work was undertaken. It is located close to the area of Stanecastle which is on the outskirts of Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir, Siorrachd Àir a Tuath, Alba).  

Eglinton Castle

Eglinton Castle is located in Eglinton Country Park near the town of Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Cill D’Fhinnein, Siorrachd Àir a Tuath, Alba). The castle remains which include the tower and wing façade are the remains of a once large Gothic castellated mansion. It was built in 1796 by John Paterson for Hugh Montgomerie, the 12th Earl of Eglinton and replaced a 17th century castle. Financial difficulties led to the family leaving the castle in 1925 from which point it became progressively ruinous. It was used for army training for a period and being thought unsafe the shell of the house was partly demolished in 1973. Leaving the remains that can be seen today.

Ardrossan Castle

Ardrossan Castle image courtesy Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald

Ardrossan Castle is located on a rocky hill in the town of Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic Àird Rosain, Siorrachd Àir a Tuath, Alba). This ruined castle stands on the site of an earlier fortress possibly built in the mid 12th century. It has undergone a number of building and remodelling phases dating back to the late 13th or early 14th century when it was owned by the Clan Barclay. Following damage during the Wars of Scottish Independence work was undertaken in repairing and strengthening the building. More substantial work was done by the Clan Montgomery in the 15th century and early 16th century.  The castle is said to have been destroyed by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century. A number of its stones being taken for use elsewhere and it was reported as being in ruins by 1689. It was in about 1911 that further decay was prevented when the local council undertook some work to repair the existing structure. 

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