Cumnock Castle

Cumnock Castle was probably substantially repaired in the mid 14th century by the Dunbar Earls of March, who held the barony of Cumnock, although it seems likely that there was an earlier version that predated this considerably. The castle has completely vanished from view beyond a low rise of ground occupied by a number of houses.

The castle was almost certainly of a tower-keep and courtyard type, as foundations discovered through excavation were five metres thick, and the moat was a full twenty metres wide. However in the absence of full details all that we know is that by late 1580 the castle was in ruins, damaged for reasons unknown. Certainly there were conflicts locally involving the Dunbars of Cumnock – the 1550s had seen several of the family outlawed. In 1580 the castle had reverted to the crown and revenues due to it were granted to William Cunningham of Caprintoun, and by 1623, the Dunbars had sold the barony to the Cunninghams as well. A new house was erected in the 17th century on the site, probably by the Earl of Dumfries, but this was in ruins by 1775. It is likely that in the end the masonry was used for the building of a new church c1780.

HES Canmore database entry