Quick Navigation
Visiting Eglinton Castle
Eglinton Castle, originally built in 1796, is a Gothic-style castellated mansion located in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland. Today, the castle and surrounding park are free to the public to visit and enjoy as one of the most popular sites in North Ayrshire.
Parking
Free parking is available on-site near the Eglinton Country Park Visitor’s Centre and Ranger Office. It’s a short walk from the parking area to Eglinton Castle and the other ruins.
Price
Free to the public, but donations are accepted throughout the park to contribute to the upkeep of this public space.
Opening
Open year-round; access at all reasonable times.
Location and Access
Eglinton Castle is located about 1.5 miles (2.41 km) north of Irvine. Visitors can access it via minor roads north of B7080, south of Lugton Water. It is situated north of Girdle toll and located within Eglinton Country Park.
Irvine Bypass (A78), Long Drive, and A737 run adjacent to the park boundaries.
The castle can be accessed by parking at one of the three designated parking lots, located near the Visitor’s Centre and Ranger Office. It’s then a short walk through the park to reach Eglinton Castle and the surrounding ruins.
You can view a map of the property here.
Know Before You Go
- Toilets are located near the cafe, next to the Visitor Centre & Ranger Office.
- There is a cafe on-site.
- The site is a great day trip for kids and families.
- Campsites are available with pre-booking.
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
Places To Stay Nearby
History of Eglinton Castle
The foundation stone of Eglinton Castle was laid in 1797, built by the 12th Earl of Eglinton. It’s history includes being the site of the 1839 Grand Tournament in 1839, a large-scale medieval tournament in which Napoleon III (the future Emperor of France) was a participant.
Time Line
-1528 (Original Castle Destroyed)
The Earl of Glencairn burned down the original Eglinton Castle.
-1797-1802 (Present-Day Castle First Built)
The current Eglinton Castle was constructed and included a 100-foot (30 m) keep and four 70-foot (21 m) towers.
-1839 (Eglinton Tournament)
The 13th Earl organised the Eglinton Tournament, which led to a new railway being built to bring in guests. Records note that three days of torrential rain washed out much of the event.
-1925
Unfortunately, a lifestyle of excess led to the demise of the family’s fortune, and the castle was abandoned after the costs became too much for the Eglinton family to maintain. Its contents were sold during an auction in December of that year.
-1926 (Roof Removed)
Eglinton’s roof was removed so the lead could be sold and the castle could be used for military target practice during and after WWII.
-1973-79
The remaining buildings were rationalized after WWII, with only the central tower and parts of the outer wall, foundation, and castle wings remaining intact.
The grounds and ruins were then opened to the public, and urban planners demolished any structurally unsound components of the castle for safety.
Eglinton Castle Occupants
Because the castle survived for just over 100 years, the occupants were mainly limited to the immediate family of the Earl and those who worked at the estate.
Records have shown the following occupants:
- The Earl and Countess of Eglinton
- H.S.M. Young (Estate Factor)
- David Mure (the Earl’s Chamberlain)
- Mr. Priest (Head Gardener)
- Mr. Brooks (Coachman)
- Mr. Pirie (Gamekeeper)
- Robert Burns (Blacksmith)
Images of Eglinton Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Eglinton Castle Facts
Even with its relatively short history, Eglinton Castle has some interesting facts surrounding the estate.
Alexander Hamilton of Grange, who was the grandfather of one of the American Revolution’s “founding fathers,” Alexander Hamilton, was in attendance at the foundation stone laying ceremony in 1797.
It’s been said that there is an escape tunnel running under the old castle to the lawns.
During the 19th century, the estate’s grounds had one of the grandest collections of significant trees in the country, but occupants removed many trees for timber during the early-to-mid 1900s.
It’s been reported that a trespasser found a woman’s skeleton in a castle wall in 1925, and some believe that the site remains haunted to this day. According to this tale, the man never contacted the authorities because he was afraid of punishment for looting the property.
Eglinton Castle Q&A
What Type of Castle Was Eglinton Castle?
Eglinton Castle was a castellated mansion. In other words, it was a private, residential estate built in the style of a castle and with Gothic architectural features. The castle portrayed power, social status, and wealth.
What Happened to the First Eglinton Castle?
Before the Earl built the present structure, there was another castle on the property known as Eglinton Castle. In 1528, the Earl of Glencairn burned down this original building.
How Big Was Eglinton Castle?
Eglinton Castle was massive for its time. The only other castle larger and more grand was Culzean Castle. In addition to the 30 metre (100 ft.), large, round keep, and the four-21 metre (13-70 ft.) outer towers, the castle also included several bridges, pleasure gardens, offices, stables, kennels, and storage house for coaches and other items.
Though time has reduced much of the original structure to ruins, the park offers trails, paths, and beautiful views on the nearly 1,000 acres of the estate’s lands.
What Was Eglinton Castle Made From?
As typical of these structures in 19th century Scotland, Eglinton was built using sandstone. During this period, these massive castles were created using the types of materials that were geologically available.
Sandstone is commonly seen in the city of Edinburgh still today, and it is a sedimentary rock made up of quartz and feldspar. This material is still used in modern-day buildings because it’s light, easy to transport, readily available in the region, and durable over time.
What Is Eglinton Castle Best Known For?
This vast family estate is famously known for having once delighted thousands of medieval visitors during the Eglinton Tournament in 1839, organized by the 13th Earl. Today, visitors can still view the massive tournament trophy.
Why Is Most of Eglinton Castle Gone?
Eglinton Castle did not withstand the tests of time, leaving just partial ruins behind. Some degradation and destruction happened throughout WWII after the estate was abandoned. Later, when the roof was removed, and the castle became a military practice site, further damage occurred.
Planned demolition happened in stages, with the final parts that were not structurally sound being torn down before the park was opened up to the public.
Location of Eglinton Castle
Eglinton Castle remains today as just a small number of ruins, but some original surrounding structures like bridges and small buildings still stand. The remains of the castle are situated within a nearly 1000 acre park that is a site to visit on its own.
Eglinton Castle and Eglinton Country Park are located in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It’s 2.41km (1.5 miles) north of Irvine. The park is surrounded by roadways and development on all sides. Within the park, visitors can use walking paths and trails to explore the original castle grounds, bridges, tunnels, and lovely views throughout the property.
Other Places To Visit Near Eglinton Castle
If you’re going to visit Eglinton Castle, you should be sure to set aside enough time to enjoy the entirety of Eglinton Country Park. The sprawling, picturesque area boasts wildlife, great bird watching, a toddler play area, multiple bridges and waterways, countless trails, and walking paths.
Dundonald Castle
This is another castle and Visitor Centre that’s a short 16-minute drive from Eglinton, via Long Dr/B7080. It’s open 11 am-4 pm during the week and 11 am-5 pm on the weekends. Dundonald is a bit older than Eglinton, built during the 14th century.
Scottish Maritime Museum & Linthouse Building
This museum is located in Irvine, just a 9-minute drive from Eglinton Castle via A737. The museum was founded in 1983 and is a must-see for anyone interested in ships, pirates, shipbuilding, and other maritime artifacts and artwork.
Stevenston Beach
You can find this local nature reserve between Stevenston and Saltcoats. It’s a quick 11 minute trip via A78 from Eglinton Castle and covers a total of 81.5 acres (4 km long) of sand dunes and coastal landscape. You can see coastal wildflowers and enjoy the relaxing sights, sounds, and smells of the ocean any time of day or night.
Small Talk
Small Talk is a little cafe and gift shop just a few miles southwest of Eglinton Castle via A737. It’s one of the most popular dessert destinations in the area and is also known for homemade soups. Visitors love the service and staff, making it a great pit stop for your day at the castle and park.