Scottish Castles

Local information

Dean Castle, Ayrshire & Arran

Location: Kilmarnock, KA3 1XB (map and directions)

Taking its name from ‘The Dean’ or wooded valley, Dean Castle in the Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock was originally built in the 14th century, with the palace built in the 15th century.

Dean Castle © Philip Sutherland

History of Dean Castle

Robert the Bruce gave the land to the Boyd family in the 14th century when he gave Sir Robert Boyd the Lordship of Kilmarnock in 1316, and Dean Castle remained the stronghold for the Boyd family, lords for 400 years.

Robert the Bruce gave the land to the Boyd family in the 14th century when he gave Sir Robert Boyd the Lordship of Kilmarnock in 1316, and Dean Castle remained the stronghold for the Boyd family, lords for 400 years.In 1899, the 8th Lord Howard de Walden set to work restoring Dean Castle, as it had been gutted by fire in 1735 and not repaired since. Lord Howard de Walden (also known as Thomas Evelyn Ellis) was a writer, a horse-racing aficionado, and collected swords, weapons and armour. He died in 1946 and his son gifted the castle to the people of Kilmarnock in 1976.

Map and directions

Other castles in Ayrshire & Arran