Dunure Castle

Dunure Castle is a ruined castle dating back to perhaps the 14th century in places but mostly more recent. Possibly founded by the rulers of Carrick, an offshoot of the Lords of Galloway, and most likely passed through the Bruces before being granted to the Kennedy family. The oldest part of the castle is a multangular walled courtyard set on the highest part of the craggy outcrop overlooking the sea. This was modified with the addition of a hall-house across the front wall of the courtyard, and outworks protecting the approach.

Further extensions and modifications took place which perhaps doubled the footprint of the castle, but the rise of the family stalled due to infighting, and Dunure Castle was probably burned down in the 16th century by the Kennedies of Bargany. The castle was systematically dismantled in the 17th century, and was described as ruined by 1694. The castle was never brought back into use and has remained a picturesque ruin, decaying until relatively recently when a programme of stabilisation began. When I last visited in 2015, the inner courtyard was still out of bounds.

HES Canmore database entry