Eglinton Castle

Eglinton Castle was a large mansion in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland.

History

The Tournament bridge and castle in 1876

Eglintoune castle from the south; prior to the rebuild of 1805.

Aitken's 1823 map showing the position of the castle and other details.

John Ainslie's 1790 map showing pleasure garden on the opposite side of the Lugton Water to the castle.

The seat of the Earls of Eglinton, it is located just south of the town of Kilwinning. Built in 1802 in castellated style dominated by a large round keep, it was second only to Culzean Castle in appearance and grandeur. Amongst many items of interest, the castle contained a chair built from the oak timbers of Alloway kirk and the back of the chair was inlaid with a brass plaque which bore the whole of Burn's poem 'Tam o' Shanter'.

It is best remembered for the lavish, if ill-fated Eglinton Tournament, a medieval-style tournament organised in 1839 by the 13th Earl. The expense and extent of the preparations became news across Scotland, and the railway line was even opened in advance of its official opening to ferry guests to Eglinton. Although high summer, in typical Scottish style torrential rain washed the proceedings out, despite the participants, in full period dress, gamely attempting to participate in events such as jousting. Amongst the participants was the future Napoleon III of France.

Eglintoune castle from the west; prior to the rebuild of 1805

The immense cost of upkeep and the poor condition of the castle eventually took its toll on the family, so the castle was abandoned in the early years of the twentieth century. De-roofed in 1925 and progressively ruinous, the building finally came to an undignified end during the Second World War when it was destroyed during army training held there.

In the 1970s plans were made to open the extensive grounds (988 acres) around the ruins to the public, and to that end what remained of the structure was made safe by demolishing all but a wing facade and a single tower. Eglinton Country Park is now fully established and is one of the most popular visitor (free) attractions in Ayrshire.

In 1963 Ian Anstruther wrote an entertaining account of the 1839 tournament entitled The Knight and the Umbrella.

Eglinton castle 2007 gallery

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  The remaining tower from the Lugton Water ford side.
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  The tower and foundations of the castle.
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  The ruins from the Tournament Bridge side.
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  A clear view of the tower and the remaining side wall.
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  The Montgomery family crest on the castle ruins.
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  The Eglinton Tournament Bridge.
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  The Montgomery family crest on the offices/stables/coach house.
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  The Offices, coach house and old stables.

The castle and estate prior to the establishment of the country park

The intact castle - exterior

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  Eglinton castle in 1802.
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  The castle and gardens.
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  Eglinton circa 1880.
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  The castle circa 1870. Note the deer grazing in the foreground.
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  The Castle from the deerpark in the 19th century.
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  Eglinton castle.
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  The castle in 1910.
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  The castle and bridge. Three arches and a lake are illustrated.
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  Eglinton Castle & Bridge. This shows three arches and other differences compared with the surviving bridge.
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  The castle and bridge in 1884.
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  The Tournament bridge and castle in 1876.
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  The Tournament Bridge over the Lugton Water in 2007.
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  The procession crossing the Tournament Bridge.
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  The Eglinton Hunt outside the castle.
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  Eglinton Castle staff in the 19th Century.

The castle interior

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  The Inner Hall circa 1860.
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  An interior view from the 1860s.
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  The library and the Eglinton Trophy.
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  An interior view of the castle. Circa 1860.
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  An interior view of the castle's central tower. Circa 1860.
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  An interior view.

Castle ruins

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  The ruins of Eglinton castle in 1965.
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  Detail of the castle ruins.
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  Castle ruins & driveway in 1965.

Estate features

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  Stanecastle Gate circa 1860.
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  Lady Jane's cottage ornee.
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  The Lugton Water and one of the two Gazebos.
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  Lady Jane's in the 1880s. Hand tinted photograph.
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  The old estate offices and stables.
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  Curling at the Eglinton Flushes in 1860.
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  Practice in the nets at Eglinton circa 1890.
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  Weirston House, home of the estate factor.

Derelict estate features

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  The courtyard undergoing initial restoration.
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  The old stables prior to conversion into the Tournament cafe.
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  The stables prior to redevelopment into the visitor centre.
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  The doocot prior to restoration - Stanecastle facing end. The council had kept vehicles in it.
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  The Doocot - the Kilwinning facing end.
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  Stanecastle Gate 1965.
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  A stone with recessed markings from the ornate footbridge that once crossed the Lugton Water at the kitchen or walled garden.
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  The ruins of one of the two listed gazebos.
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  Ruins of the gazebo by the wear.
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  The interior of the gazebo by the wear.
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  A part of the kitchen garden wall.
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  The old Wilson's waterfall - upper area.
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  The old Wilson's waterfall. The header tank and pump lies on the other side of the driveway in the Belvedere Woods.
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  The Diamond Bridge undergoing restoration.
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  The old curling ponds off Weirstone Drive.
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  Another view of the old curling ponds.

The Montgomerie family crest.

See also

• Eglinton Country Park
• Eglinton Tournament of 1839
• Eglinton Tournament bridge