Scottish Castles

Local information

Eglinton Castle, Ayrshire & Arran

Location: 1.5 miles north of Irvine, near Eglington Park Visitor Centre KA12 8TA (map and directions)

The remains of Eglinton Castle are located one mile southeast of Kilwinning in North Ayrshire, in the Eglinton Country Park. The castle itself was built in 1796 by John Paterson for Hugh Montgomerie, the 12th Earl of Eglinton. This structure was a large Gothic mansion, built to replace a 17th century castle which had previously stood in its place.

Eglinton Castle - Wikimedia Commons

History of Eglinton Castle

At Eglington Castle, the Eglinton Tournament was held in 1839, a re-enactment of a medieval joust which attracted many thousands of visitors and cemented its popularity at the time.

The family saw dark financial days, and were forced to leave the castle at some point in the late 19th century. Eglington was then unroofed in 1925 for use as a target practice location, and was used in World War II for commando training. Not surprisingly, the shell of the house was partly demolished in 1973, unsafe for any visitors. Today, only a corner tower and foundations remain, and a visit to Eglington requires an engagement of the imagination to fill in the mansion that once stood on the property.

Map and directions

Other castles in Ayrshire & Arran