Greenan Castle

Greenan Castle is an oft-photographed ruined tower house on a rocky crag overlooking Ayr Bay. Pedestrian access is straightforward, with a suitable car park available for use. The tower house probably dates to the 16th century although earlier fortifications had existed here for centuries. The tower was repaired by the local authority in brick and concrete to prevent further decay after the owners refused to acknowledge any responsibility for it. The bill was sent to them, but I have no idea whether it was paid or not!

The topography here is unusual, and it is possible that there were two large courtyards separated by a ditch, or else a small castleton. The latter is suggested by the grant in 1190 of a “toft below [the] castle of Greenan” to Melrose Abbey by Roger de Skelbrooke. Greenan probably passed back to the lords of Carrick, and then the Crown (Robert Bruce was earl of Carrick). By the 15th century it was held by John Macdonald of Islay, who granted it to John Davidson, his esquire. A dispute rolled on into the 16th century with a local Douglas family, but in the end the Davidsons were victorious. The present tower was probably erected between 1510 and 1576, and then further disputes ensued. By 1603 the Kennedy family held Greenan, and may have then repaired the tower, or upgraded it to form a fairly standard rectangular tower house. It fell into disrepair during the latter 17th or early 18th century, and was roofless and uninhabitable by 1789. The works carried out by the council make it impossible to access the interior of the castle, and little attempt is made to keep the courtyard areas clear of vegetation, although visitors seem to maintain tracks through the scrub.

HES Canmore database entry

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