EGLINTON CASTLE

AYRSHIRE.

Eglinton Castle, a huge very ruined 18th-century castellated mansion, was built on the site of a 16th-century stronghold of the Montgomery Earls of Eglinton.

The property passed by marriage, along with Ardrossan, from the Eglintons to the Montgomery family in the 14th century, who were made Earls of Eglinton in 1508. The family long feuded with the Cunningham Earls of Glencairn. The castle here was burnt in 1528 by the Cunninghams in retaliation for the sacking of Kerelaw Castle. Hugh Montgomery, 4th Earl, was murdered near the bridge of Annick by the Cunninghams of Colbeith and of Robertland, and others of that family. The Montgomerys killed every Cunningham they could find, and cut Cunningham of Colbeith to pieces.

It was at the new castle that the Eglinton Tournament was held in 1839, a medieval tournament, attracting thousands of visitors. However, the house was abandoned when the family ran out of money building a harbour at Ardrossan. It was unroofed in 1925 to be used for target practice, and the shell of the house was partly demolished in 1973. All that survives is a single corner tower and some low walls

How to get there:-

About 1.5 miles north of Irvine, on minor roads north of B 7080,
near Eglinton Park visitor centre.

( Castles that are not maintained by an official organisation,
should be visited with EXTREME CAUTION, as many ruins are VERY UNSAFE )