Castles that can be visited

Blairquhan Castle/Mansion is situated about 16 miles southeast of Ayr next to the small scenic village of Straiton. The castle can be visited in summer months when not booked for weddings, holidays or film shoots. For information on visiting Blairquhan, visit the website www.blairquhan.co.uk/. The area around Straiton has some of the best hill walking in Ayrshire.

Crossraguel Abbey is situated about one and a half miles south of Maybole, 10 miles south of Ayr next to the A77. The abbey and the adjacent Kennedy Baltersan Tower have some connections through history. Duncan the Earl of Carrick founded Crossraguel around 1244 after he donated money to monks of Paisly to build the abbey on this site. The full history of the abbey can be found at www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/. Crossraguel is open to the public from 1st April – 30th September 09.00-18.30 with an entrance fee of about £2.20 for adults and 75p for children.

Dalquharran Castle was designed by Robert Adam for Thomas Kennedy while also redesigning Culzean Castle for David Kennedy. Work to convert this castle ruin to a hotel and the estate into a championship standard golf course is expected to begin soon. The two castles at Dalquharran are situated 16 miles southeast of Ayr next to the small village of Dailly. You can visit the castles by parking in Dailly then walk through the field in front of the castles (as seen right) then cross the river by footbridge. For more information on Dalquharran, visit the website sites.scran.ac.uk/ada/dalquharran/.

Dundonald Castle was built for Robert 11 (grandson of Robert the Bruce) on his accession to the throne of Scotland in 1371. The castle is situated on a hilltop in the centre of the small village Dundonald. There is a car park and visitor centre below the castle that provides information and snacks. The centre and grounds around the castle are open free of charge 10.00-17.00 1st April-31st October. Guided tours of inside the castle can be arranged at the visitors centre for a small fee. The official website for the castle is www.dundonaldcastle.org.uk .

Dunure Castle was built in the 1300s for the Kennedy’s (Earls of Cassillis). Dunure was one of the first seats of this family that became the largest landowners in South Ayrshire. The castle is situated on the outskirts of the small village of Dunure about 6 miles south of Ayr on the A719 scenic coastal road. There is a car park and play area next to the castle. There is also a traditional Scottish pub at the harbour for meals or drinks. More history and photos of the castle can be found at www.maybole.org/history/sketches/spratt/dunure.htm.

Greenan Castle was built for John Kennedy of Baltersan in 1603. The castle is situated on the south side of Ayr Beach. A large car park nearby makes this a popular walk along the beach past the castle towards Craig Tara Holiday Park. More information and photos for Greenan can be found at www.maybole.org/history/sketches/spratt/greenan.htm .

Kilwinning Abbey was built for Huge de Morville in the 1100s. The tower completed in 1816 is open to the public in summer. The tower can be entered from June-September, Thursdays 14.00-16.00, Fridays & Saturdays 10.30-12.30 & 14.00-16.00, Sundays 14.00-16.00. The abbey situated in Kilwinning town centre can be easily found as it rises high above the surrounding buildings. More history and photos of the abbey can be found at www.kilwinning.org/abbey/ .

The ruins of Lochranza Castle are situated near the centre of Lochranza village on the north coast of the Island of Arran. The earliest parts of the castle were built in the mid 1200s for the MacSweens. In 1262, it was granted by Alexander III to Walter Stewart (Earl of Menteith).

It is believed Robert the Bruce landed at this spot on his return from Ireland in 1306 as he began his successful campaign to become king of Scotland. The castle was later owned by his grandson when he became King Robert II of Scotland in 1371. The following years saw it used as a royal hunting lodge.

During the 1490s, Lochranza Castle was used as a base from which James IV could attack the MacDonalds (Lords of the Isles). James VI took control of the castle in 1614 and the English Parliamentarian leader Cromwell took control in the1650s. The last owners, the Hamiltons, acquired the castle in 1705.

Loch Doon Castle was built in the 1200s for Robert the Earl of Carrick. Robert the Bruce’s father gained control of this castle and Turnberry Castle in 1271 after marrying the widow Marjorie (Countess of Carrick). The castle was originally situated on a small island in the middle of Loch Doon. The ruins were rebuilt at the side of the loch in the 1930s to allow the loch to be used as a water reservoir. To visit this scenic area, take the A713 east of Dalmelington and follow signs for the hill road leading to Loch Doon. More history of these castles can be found at www.maybole.org/history/sketches/spratt/lochdoon.htm www.maybole.org/history/sketches/spratt/turnberry.htm .

Maybole Castle is situated next to Maybole High Street. The earliest parts of the castle were built as a townhouse for the Kennedy’s (Earls of Cassillis). The main tower is dated to around 1560 and additions that give its present day look to 1812. Maybole Castle is now the headquarters of a Community Council training company. The castle can be visited with a tea room and local heritage centre in the castle opening soon. There is a car park behind the shops opposite the castle. View the website for the castle at www.maybole.org/places/maybolecastle/.

Portencross Castle (Tower) is built on lands originally owned by the Ross Clan. The Ross’s supported John de Baliol in the feuds with Robert the Bruce. After Bruce defeated Baliol, he awarded these lands to his loyal supporters the Boyds of Kilmarnock. Robert Boyd had this castle built in the early 1400s to protect and make use of the small harbour here. There is a scenic seaside car park about one hundred yards from the castle to allow visits to the ruins. Signposts on the A78 less than one mile north of Seamill direct you to the castle. More history on Portencross can be found at www.clanboyd.info/history/portencross.

Sorn Castle overlooking the River Ayr is situated 4 miles east of Mauchline next to the B743. The earliest parts of this castle were built in the early 1400s for the Hamilton’s. Although Sorn is a sporting estate most of the year, fishing /shooting, the castle is open to the public for four weeks each year, 2006 from Sat July 15th - Sat August 12th /1400 - 1600. For enquiries contact Mrs R.G. McIntyre by phoning 01290 551 555.