Kyle Castle

Last updated

Kyle Castle
Dalblair, Muirkirk, East Ayrshire, Scotland
UK grid reference NS64741920
Kyle Castle, Dalblair, East Ayrshire. View from the north-west.jpg
Remnants of the castle's keep from the courtyard area
Scotland relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Kyle Castle
Coordinates 55°26′53″N4°08′24″W / 55.447921°N 4.1400316°W / 55.447921; -4.1400316
TypeA tower castle with a courtyard
Site information
OwnerMarquis of Bute
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionRuined and extensively robbed
Site history
Built15th century
Built byFarquhar of Gilmilnscroft
In use15th to early 18th century
MaterialsStone

The ruins of the large courtyard style Kyle Castle, once also known as Cavil Castle [1] or occasionally Dalblair Castle lie close to the hamlet of Dalblair in Auchinleck parish near Muirkirk in the East Ayrshire council area, Scotland. The castle stands at the confluence of the Guelt Water and the Glenmuir Water on a peninsula carved out by these rivers. Its name suggests that it was once of some significance. [2]

Contents

A drawing of the castle when still intact was apparently kept at “the church at Coylton." The sketch is said to have depicted a four-storied Scottish Tower House with four rooms connected by a staircase. [3]

Significantly the castle or fortalice stands at the boundary of the old lands of Kyle Regis and Kyle Stewart, marked by the confluence of the two rivers that join to form the Glenmuir Water. Nearby on the lands of Kyle Stewart stands the large Dornal Motte, a fortification that is recorded as 'Danhell' on Timothy Pont's 16th century map. [4]

History

The first written record in 1445 shows that Kyle Castle and its lands were previously held by the monks of Melrose Abbey before the Farquhars of Gilmilnscroft obtained possession, [5] John Farquhar having been granted them in a charter granted by a Commendator of Melrose Abbey. [1] The Farquhars obtained further charters to lands from the abbot of Melrose, eventually including the lands of Gilmilnscroft itself. [6] Margaret, a daughter of the Laird of Barquharrie, was the wife of John Farquhar. [1] The Cunninghams at some later stage gained possession, followed by the Stewarts of Bute. [7]

Very little written or verbal history survives regarding Kyle Castle except however for inevitable links with 'Old King Cole or Coilus' that have been regularly suggested. [8] The castle's stone has been heavily robbed for use in building dry stone dykes and domestic buildings at Dalblair and Kyle Farms. The preservation of a small section of the castle may relate to the need for readily identifiable landmarks in this remote and relatively featureless landscape.

Evidence from maps indicated that the castle was abandoned and in ruins towards the last quarter of the 18th century. [9] [10]

Description

The covered walkway Covered access way, Kyle Castle, Dalblair, East Ayrshire, Scotland.jpg
The covered walkway

The castle's chosen location is one of considerable strength with very steep slopes on three sides. Kyle has been dated from the surviving stonework as being 15th to 16th century with a strong rectangular keep that is now 14.0m by 7.0m externally. The surviving ashlar north wall section is 6.1m long, 5.5m high and 1.8, thick. Kyle stands atop a natural flat-topped spur which appears to have had a surrounding barmkin or courtyard wall [11] as suggested by the elevated sections along the edge of the enclosure and a possible watchtower at the extreme western end. To the west a deep narrow 'covered way' curves up to the courtyard area and the keep. The dates of these structures may not be contemporary. Remains of a dry defensive moat lies on the north-east side of the tower castle ruins. A lower terrace with rig and furrow lies to the north. As stated a turf-covered footing of a possible watchtower lies at the extreme western edge of the courtyard. [12]

The castle ruins in 1863. Kyle Castle, Dalblair. The ruins in 1863.jpg
The castle ruins in 1863.

Timothy Pont's 16th century map of Kyle shows Castle Keyil (sic) on its natural mound with three towers and a curtain wall or palisade. Although these drawings were only indicative the castle is shown to be larger than the others in the district and unlike many of the others, it is named as a castle. [4] Castle Kyle is shown on Adair's map of 1685 although Dornal Motte is not marked. [13] Castle Kyil (sic) is shown as a single tower on Moll's map of 1745. [14] Roy's mid 18th century map shows the Castle of Kyle, and an un-named group of buildings that may be Kyle Farm, suggesting that some robbing of stone from the castle or courtyard may have already taken place. [10] In 1775 the castle is shown and marked as a ruin on Armstrong's map. [9] In 1832 Thomson's map records the castle as being in ruins. [15]

As stated the castle structures were robbed of stone which was used to build dry stone dykes and the nearby farm buildings and it is recorded that considerable difficulty was experienced in extracting stones from the mortar. [16]

It may be no accident that the ruins that remain form a useful landmark in this desolate and relatively featureless landscape. An engraving made in 1863 shows that the ruins have changed little over the last century and a half or so. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thurgartstone</span> Glacial erratic stone near Dunlop, Scotland

The Thurgartstone or Ogrestone is a prominent glacial erratic stone near Dunlop in East Ayrshire, Scotland. The Thurgartstone stands in a field at Brandleside Farm and is thought to have been a rocking stone at one time, but it no longer moves due to a build up of soil beneath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trabboch</span>

Trabboch is a hamlet in East Ayrshire, Scotland. Built as a miners village in the 1880s, it was owned and leased by Wm. Baird & Co., Ltd. and at one time had 94 dwellings. The miners rows stood, until demolition in 1969, on the Stair and Littlemill road, about two miles south of Stair, in that parish. The name is locally pronounced 'Traaboch'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clonbeith Castle</span>

The Castle of Clonbeith is in the old feudal Baillerie of Cunninghame, near Auchentiber, on a sideroad off the B778, in what is now North Ayrshire, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craigie Castle</span>

Craigie Castle, in the old Barony of Craigie, is a ruined fortification situated about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Kilmarnock and 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of Craigie village, in the Civil Parish of Craigie, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The castle is recognised as one of the earliest buildings in the county. It lies about 1.25 miles (2 km) west-south-west of Craigie church. Craigie Castle is protected as a scheduled monument.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunduff Castle</span> Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland

Dunduff Castle is a restored stair-tower in South Ayrshire, Scotland, built on the hillside of Brown Carrick Hills above the Drumbane Burn, and overlooking the sea above the village of Dunure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barnweill Church</span> Ruined pre-reformation kirk in South Ayrshire, Scotland

Barnweill Church or Barnweil Church is a ruined pre-reformation kirk situated on rising ground on the slopes of Barnweill Hill, Parish of Craigie, South Ayrshire, Scotland; about 3 km from Tarbolton. The church was known locally as the "Kirk in the Wood". It lies about 170m North North-East of Kirkhill Farm. Barnweill was central to the Protestant Reformation in Ayrshire through its association with John Knox. The spelling 'Barnweill' is used throughout for consistency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch of Trabboch</span> Drained freshwater loch in East Ayrshire, Scotland

The Loch of Trabboch or Dalrympleston Loch (NS440211) was situated in a low-lying area below the old Castle of Trabboch, once held by the Boyd family in the Parish of Stair, East Ayrshire, Scotland.

Trabboch Castle is a ruined L-plan tower house in the old Barony of Trabboch, Parish of Stair, East Ayrshire, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Fergus</span> Freshwater loch in South Ayrshire, Scotland

Loch Fergus is a freshwater post-glacial "Kettle Hole" sometimes recorded as Fergus Loch. It is quite visible and is situated in a low-lying area close to the B742 road between the farms and dwellings of Trees, Lochfergus and Bowmanston in the Parish of Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The loch lies to the north of Martnaham Loch, four miles east-southeast of Ayr. It drains to the southwest into the Snipe Loch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auchencloigh Castle</span> Ruined fortification in the Parish of Ochiltree, East Ayrshire, Scotland

Auchencloigh Castle or Auchincloigh Castle is a ruined fortification near the Burnton Burn, lying within the feudal lands of the Craufurd Clan, situated in the Parish of Ochiltree, East Ayrshire, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingencleugh Castle</span>

The remains of the old castle of Kingencleugh or Kingenclough lies close to east of the town of Mauchline, East Ayrshire, in the old Barony of Mauchline off the A76. The castle is Category B listed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairlie Castle</span> Castle in North Ayrshire, Scotland, UK

Fairlie Castle is a restored oblong tower castle located on a natural rounded knoll situated above a precipitous section of the Fairlie Glen near the town of Fairlie in the old Barony of Fairlie, Parish of Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It was built by the now extinct family, the Fairlies of that Ilk and survives in a fairly good state of preservation. It is a protected scheduled monument.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lands of Borland, Barony of Cumnock</span> Human settlement in Scotland

The Lands of Borland or Boreland formed a castle and land holdings within the old Barony of Cumnock, East Ayrshire, Parish of Old Cumnock, Scotland. Lying two miles south of Cumnock the property was mainly held by a cadet branch of the Hamilton family from around 1400 before passing by marriage to the Montgomeries and others. For consistency the spelling 'Borland' will be used throughout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bickering Bush</span> Scottish thorn near Caprington, linked to legend of Sir William Wallace

The Bickering bush (NS41863635) thorn grew near Caprington on the lands of Monksholm or Maxholm, Riccarton, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The old farm house at Maxholm sat in hollow on the old Caprington Castle estate and to the north and west its fields bordered the River Irvine. The thorn was located, as recorded on the OS map, near to the confluence of the Kilmarnock Water and the River Irvine, downstream of the Simon's Burn's confluence on the south bank of the river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lefnoreis Castle</span>

The site of the old Lefnoreis Castle or Ward of Lochnorris lies about 100 yards north-west of the old stable block of Dumfries House in East Ayrshire, Parish of Old Cumnock, Scotland. The old castle stood on a natural rise overlooking the Lugar Water, built and held for many years by the Craufurd family. For consistency the spelling Craufurd will be used throughout and Lefnoreis for the castle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craigie, South Ayrshire</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Craigie is a small village and parish of 6,579 acres in the old district of Kyle, now South Ayrshire, four miles south of Kilmarnock, Scotland. This is mainly a farming district, lacking in woodland, with a low population density, and only one village. In the 19th century, high quality lime was quarried here with at least three sites in use in 1832.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minishant</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Minishant is a village bordering the A77 in the old county of Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located in Maybole Parish, 3+12 miles from Maybole and standing close to the River Doon. The village was originally named Culroy after the Culroy Burn that runs through it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle and Barony of Gadgirth</span>

The Castle and Barony of Gadgirth was held by the Chalmer family, originally De Camera, with successive castles and a mansion house overlooking the River Ayr at the border of the Parish of Coylton, the old district of Kyle, now part of South Ayrshire, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kemp Law Dun</span> Iron Age settlement in Scotland

Kemp Law Dun is a vitrified fort dating from the Iron Age situated near the town of Dundonald in South Ayrshire, Scotland. The remains of the Iron Age fort or dun lie on the old Auchans Estate in the Dundonald Woods near the site of the old Hallyards Farm and the quarry of that name. The footpath route known as the Smugglers' Trail through the Clavin Hills from Troon to Dundonald runs passed the ruins of the dun. Kemps Law is in the order of two thousand years old.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle and Lands of Auchruglen</span> Scottish castle

The Castle and Lands of Auchruglen (NS5365436797) was a peel tower in the old district of Kyle held at different times by the Nesbitt and Campbell Clans and located near Newmilns, Parish of Galston, East Ayrshire, Scotland.

References

Coat of arms of the Farquhars of Gilmilnscroft Farquhar Coat of arms - Gilmilnscroft House , Sorn, East Ayrshire.jpg
Coat of arms of the Farquhars of Gilmilnscroft
Notes
  1. 1 2 3 Dane Love (2008). The History of Sorn Village and Parish. Carn Publishing. p. 74.
  2. 1 2 James Paterson (1863). History of the Counties of Ayr and Wigton. I. Kyle. James Stillie. p. 200.
  3. Kyle Family Society
  4. 1 2 Coila Provincia, [or], The province of Kyle / auct. Timoth. Pont.
  5. Dane Love (2003). Ayrshire. Discovering a County. Fort Publishing. p. 182.
  6. Dane Love (2008). The History of Sorn Village and Parish. Carn Publishing. p. 75.
  7. Martin Coventry (2010). Castles of the Clans. Goblinshead. p. 134.
  8. John Smith (1895). Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire. Elliot Stock. p. 140.
  9. 1 2 Armstrong, Andrew, 1700-1794. A new map of Ayrshire...
  10. 1 2 Roy Military Survey of Scotland, 1747-1755
  11. Thorbjorn Campbell (2003). Ayrshire. A Historical Guide. Birlinn. p. 210.
  12. "Kyle Castle | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  13. A mape of the west of Scotland containing Clydsdail, Nithsdail, Ranfrew, Shyre of Ayre, & Galloway / authore Jo. Adair.
  14. The South Part of the Shire of Air [i.e. Ayr], containing Kyle and Carrick / by H. Moll.
  15. Thomson, John. Northern Part of Ayrshire. Southern Part.
  16. James Paterson (1863). History of the Counties of Ayr and Wigton. I. Kyle. James Stillie. p. 199.
Sources