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The disputes came to a head during the
Cassillis and Bargany Kennedy feuds. The
Cassillis Kennedy's murdered Kennedy of Bargany
in a skirmish at Ladycross in 1601. John Mure
of Auchendrane, who was present at the
Ladycross skirmish, took revenge for his friend
Bargany's death by arranging the murder of
Cassillis' uncle, Sir Thomas Kennedy of
Culzean.
As Mure and his son were brought to trial in
1611 for the murder of Thomas Kennedy, and
executed, the lands of Auchendrane were once
again forfeited to the Crown. Auchendrane lands
passed to the Ferguson of Kilkerran, and later,
to Elias Cathcart of Blairston, or Nether
Auchendrane as it was re-named.
In 1839, James Ferguson bought the estate
with the intention of building a new house on
the site of the ruined castle. However, this
was only carried out by J. Fairfull Smith in
1856. Nether Auchendrane served as a nursing
home for many years. With the building needing
expensive repairs, the nursing home was moved
to a new location. The house was then put up
for sale.
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