Fascinating Buildings in Scotland

Castle of Montgomery by Tarbolton/ Ayrshire
The Castle of Montgomery was replaced by a large Mansion in 1798. This Castle was referred to by the poet Robert Burns as to where Mary Campbell (Highland Mary) worked in the 1770s. She has remained famous for the affect she had on Scotland's best know poet. People from around the world have been intrigued by the story of Burns and Highland Mary, but never been able to find an image of the Castle of Montgomery to fully understand the setting for one of Scotland's most intriguing romances. There seems to be no photos of the Castle, and very few of the Mansion that replaced it.

The Mansion was used as a Hotel for some time in the mid 1900s, before being destroyed by fire in 1969. Reports state the ornate fireplaces were removed before the fire started, leading to rumours the destruction of the building was for insurance claim purposes. Only some foundations remain from the Mansion.

The grounds around the walled garden are now used for holiday homes and lodges under the name Middlemuir Heights.
Wiki/HighlandMary . KA5 5NR

burnsmuseum . Middlemuir Heights

Dalquharran Castle / 16 miles southeast or Ayr/ Ayrshire
Dalquharran Castle was designed by Robert Adam for Thomas Kennedy. The Castle remained in the Kennedy family until it was bought by Wilson Timber Merchants from Troon in the early 1900s, who took the Timber from the Estate and leased the Castle to the Scottish Youth Hostel Association.

Dalquharran was used as a Youth Hostel until the Second World War, when the Langside School for the Deaf in Glasgow were housed there. The Castle and Lands were later sold to John Stewart, a merchant from Girvan, who moved into Dalquharran with his family. He then farmed the Estate with his son that he adopted, one of the War Children. The Stewart family shared the Castle with friends, but it still proved too large and expensive to maintain. As the local Authorities continually demanded high rates for the building, John Stewart was forced to remove the roof , as it was the only way to avoid paying the Taxes. This is something that would never have been allowed a few decades later.

I have added Windows to the shell of the building to show just how good a condition the Castle was in when it was de-roofed. Even 40-odd years after the roof was removed, it still looks in remarkable condition. Click on the images to enlarge.

The Castle was to be restored early in the 21st Century to serve as a luxury Hotel for Ritz-Carlton overlooking a Championship Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicholas. The current world financial slump has led to that venture being delayed while awaiting investors. Only some clearing of the land and inside of the building has taken place so far.
Website . KA26 9SW . Clan Kennedy

Hamilton Palace / by Glasgow
From 1695 - 1842, the Dukes of Hamilton built, and extended, Hamilton Palace on land close to Cadzow Castle, east of Glasgow. The Palace was considered the finest residence in Scotland, apart from that of the Royals. Many historians state the Palace was the largest non-Royal residence in the Western World.

The 10th Duke, Alexander, was credited with turning Hamilton Palace into one of Britain’s top houses, by filling it with priceless Art and Furniture. He was Ambassador to Russia at that time.

The decline of Hamilton Palace began with the escalating cost of upkeep, and nearby Coal Mines were causing Subsidence. The run down began in 1882, as Art was sold off to raise funds by William, the 12th Duke.

After Alfred, the 13th Duke, allowed the Palace to be use as a Naval Hospital during World War I, the Palace required extensive restoration after the War, but there was not enough funds to restore and run the property. This led to the building being demolished in 1921.

The site of the Palace is now occupied by the Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds. Most of the Palace grounds were incorporated into Strathclyde Country Park.
wiki/Hamilton_Palace . ML1 3ED

Loudoun Castle 5 miles northeast of Kilmarnock by Galston
The earliest part of the Castle is a Tower built in the 1400s for the Craufurds of Loudoun. The first Earl of Loudoun, John Campbell, extended the Tower in the 1600s. The present day look of Loudoun Castle is from work carried out for Flora Mure-Campbell in the early 1800s. That work kept the Old Buildings in its design.

Loudoun Castle has remained an impressive ruin since being destroyed by fire in 1941. The grounds were turned into a Family Theme Park in 1995, becoming one of Ayrshire's top attractions until it closed in 2010. The Castle and Park are still owned by descendants of the Campbell's. You can view just how good a condition the exterior of the castle is by Click to Enlarge the image on the right. I have added windows to show what Loudoun may look like if it is ever restored, as it surely will be one day.
Wiki Page . KA4 8PE

See Also: Abbeys . Cathedrals . Castles . Mansions