Auchinleck Castle

Auchinleck Castle occupied a steep sided rocky outcrop on the east bank of the Lugar Water, a tributary of the River Ayr, and overlooking the confluence of the Dippol Water with the Lugar. It is a strong location, and the outcrop itself is isolated from the land to south and east by a ditch, likely to have been at least partly man-made. The site was probably accessed via a timber bridge from a narrow ridge to the south. What remains today is fragmentary, described on Canmore as “a part of one wall, a few arches, and other fragments” and “the lower courses of walls, with one wall, containing an arched opening, standing to a height of some 4.0m“. Regrettably, it is difficult to understand the photographs available, which are taken from three principal angles that cannot be reconciled with each other – and which also represent a later tower house. However, the red sandstone masonry seems to display architectural features consistent with the 14th or 15th century, and it would appear that there was a tower by the presumed entrance bridge that incorporated a substantial drop of several metres – although this cannot be located on any plan. The early 20th century Etchings by Robert Bryden are probably most helpful, and imply that the entrance to the castle was very well defended.

The lands of Auchinleck were the property of the Stewart family in the 13th century, when the Stewarts were able to grant lands relating to the church in Auchinleck, and therefore became crown property from 1371 onwards. However, it appears likely that at some point during the reign of David II at the latest, the lands were granted to a family who took their name from them, and would become known as the Auchinlecks of that Ilk. Sir James Auchinleck (believed to be the son of a John and grandson of an Alexander Auchinleck) acted as a witness in 1444, and John from 1450 to 1466. The last of this line was Marion, who died in 1545, and was a daughter of this last John or an otherwise unmentioned namesake son. Marion married Sir George Campbell of Loudon, sheriff of Ayr, and their daughter Annabella inherited Auchinleck, taking it with her marriage to the Boswell family in the reign of King James IV. She was named as “the Lady Annabel Campbell, lady Auchinleck, widow of Thomas Boswell of Auchinleck” in 1515. In 1540 David Boswell was laird.

It seems probable that the castle of Auchinleck fell into disrepair during these changes of ownership, and perhaps it was during the Reformation that it was abandoned and a new tower house erected. Canmore shows an image of the tower house in ruins that clearly shows a tower consistent with the late 16th century, although a date of 1612 is assigned to it. No archaeology has been done at the old castle site, which makes assigning dates to its use problematic. However it appears most likely that by the time John Boswell was charged with witchcraft and Richard Graham admitted raising the devil at Auchinleck in 1591, the old castle was no longer in use. For the subsequent history of Auchinleck, please refer to the Old House of Auchinleck article.

HES Canmore database entry