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The Sorn Castle stands above the River Ayr outside of Sorn, East Ayrshire in Scotland. Once a medieval tower house, the castle has been altered over the centuries and is now an exclusive venue/country club used for weddings and other such events. In the 1860s, the architect David Bryce added the baronial elements we see today. The Macintyre family has owned the castle since 1907.
Visiting Sorn Castle
Parking
Sorn castle provides parking for visitors down the drive from the main entrance under the autumnal trees.
Price
Sorn castle website does not include a 2021 price list. However, interested parties may contact the Sorn administration for general enquiries at:
- info@sorncastle.com
- Telephone enquiries: 01290 551 476
Opening
Although the Sorn estate offers sporting activities such as fishing and shooting most of the year, the castle is only open to the public for a few weeks every year. The open period is usually between the middle of July and August between 2 pm and 4 pm. The castle is a top-rated wedding destination and is also available for private hire.
Location & Access
Sorn Castle is conveniently located in East Ayrshire, just a twenty-minute car ride from Prestwick Airport. Visitors may also access the castle from Glasgow airport (30-minute drive) or Edinburgh airport (one and a half-hour drive). Alternatively, visitors from Ireland may access the castle from the ferry to Troon (thirty minutes by car).
Address
Sorn Castle,
Ayrshire
KA5 6HR
Sporting Facilities
The 8,000 acres (3,237.49 hectares) of sprawling estate offer internationally renowned partridge and pheasant shooting outings for both driven and walked-up day excursions. A full driven day offers eight guns the chance to shoot duck, partridge, and pheasant. Because the birdlife is plentiful, the state can provide 100-250 bird days a year.
Those who prefer a rugged adventure may experience the outdoors when hunting their quarry. The walked-up hunt offers a combination of on-foot and driven aid, with an opportunity to bag woodcock, snipe, pheasant duck, and partridge.
Private Hire
Sorn offers 12 individually designed luxury rooms with views of the surrounding parkland. They also provide decadent meals for guests in their grand dining room with its stone balcony over the weir. They offer marquees next to the castle for larger events and cater to all tastes with horse-drawn carriages, pipers, and even fireworks.
Know Before You Go
- Sorn Castle is only open to the public for a few weeks a year, as it is the residence of the Macintyre family.
- The Sorn has a music room with an impressive full-sized church organ with gilded pipes and carvings.
- Sorn Castle is home to a variety of bird species and a resident family of otters.
History of Sorn Castle
The pink sandstone Sorn Castle stands on almost 8,000 acres (3,237.49 hectares) and boasts a long colourful history. The original 14-century 3-storey tower and attic were extended in the 16th and 18th century and remodelled in the 20th century. The oldest section has corbelled parapets with open rounds.
Visitors will notice a tablet on the castle wall that reads "Extant AD 1409, Added to AD 1783, Restored AD 1865, Enlarged AD 1909."
Time Line
-1380-1409
Somewhere between 1380 and 1409, the first occupants built this castle as a keep. The original owners were not recorded, but at this time, the Keiths of Galston owned the Sorn estate. They passed on the lands in marriage to the Hamiltons of Cadzow in 1406.
-1598 (King's Visit)
Historians believe that King James VI visited the Sorn Castle to attend the marriage of Isobel Hamilton to George, Lord Seton. The surrounding countryside proved rather taxing for the King, who, legend tells, suffered an incident in a quagmire on the then treacherous Sorn territory. Some say that these bad experiences prompted the King to express that if he could pay the devil a trick, he would send him from Glasgow to Sorn in winter.
-The 1600s (Garrisoned)
The Jacobeans prevailed and threw the area into unrest. The Sorn Castle was run as a garrison with a small number of mounted troops ready to defend against the Covenanters in the reign of Charles II.
-1700 (Landscaped)
In 1700, Sir Hugh Campbell, 3rd Earl of Loudon, married Margaret Dalrymple. With her experience at the courts of Queen Anne, she extensively replanted and landscaped the Sorn grounds still evident today.
-1782 (First Extensions)
At the death of the Fourth Earl of Loudon, the estate changed hands to William Tennent of Poole, who quickly set out to 'improve' the castle. Tennent added a sizeable inner hall with two grand staircases, one in marble and one in carved wood. He also created the drawing-room with its fine ceiling detail and oversized crystal chandelier, still evident today.
-1797 (Sold)
James Somervell purchased Sorn Castle after several shorter-term owners. Tragically, he died soon after the purchase, leaving it to his wife.
-1837 (Bridge)
A victorian suspension bridge was built over the River Ayr to prevent guests from wading the waters to enjoy the beautiful walks on the other side of the river.
-1865 (Extensive Remodelling)
The owners of the Sorn, the Smoervells, employed renowned architect David Bryce to remodel the castle extensively. Bryce designed and built a sizeable stable courtyard and two arched gatehouses at the top and bottom of the drive. He also added the baronial elements such as the castle's battlements and other improvements such as kitchens, cloakrooms, and an impressive music room.
-1907 (Macintyres)
The Macintyre family purchased the Sorn Castle. The family remains the owners to this day. Thomas W. Macintyre set about extensively remodelling the frontal structure of the castle.
Macintyre quarried a large amount of earth to raise the driveway and level the banks with the surrounding park.
Thus, the ground floor became the new basement that enabled Macintyre to build his Edwardian porte-cochere to allow a horse and carriage to pass and protect the residents and guests from inclement weather.
-1971-Present Day
Historic Environment Scotland lists the Sorn castle as a category A scheduled monument LB14273. The castle classified as a Castle (Medieval), Country House (Period Unassigned)
The Sorn Castle is the residence of James Alasdair McIntyre, born in 1970, known as Jamie and his wife, Jemma Katharine Folley, and their three children.
Sorn Castle Occupants
- Unknown to 1409: The Keiths of Galston owned the land on which the castle stands.
- 1409: Sir William Hamilton of Sorn, a Senator of the College of Justice and Lord Treasurer of James V, took ownership.
- 1598: King James V visited the castle and stayed for two nights for the marriage of Isobel Hamilton to George, Lord Seton.
- The 1600s: Anti-covenanter troops garrisoned the castle during the reign of Charles II.
- 1620: Sir John Campbell of Lawers assumed ownership.
- 1782: The estate was sold again. The new owner was William Tennent of Poole.
- 1797: James Somervell took occupancy.
- 1907: Thomas W. Macintyre, who founded Maclay and McIntyre on the Clyde, in the shipping industry.
- 1920: Lieutenant James Gordon McIntyre, a great war hero, assumed occupancy.
Images of Sorn Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Alamy for web use
Sorn Castle Q&A
What Kind of Castle Is the Sorn?
The southwest portion of the castle is an old keep and originally a 14th-century tower house with three storeys and an attic. The owners added a north-east part later and created the great hall on the first floor. The 19th century saw David Bryce adding baronial elements such as a parapet with ornamental corbelling and bartizans.
Who Owns the Sorn Castle?
The Macintyre family has owned the Sorn castle since 1907, in an unbroken line since Thomas W. Macintyre. James Alasdair McIntyre has resided at the castle since the 1970s and shares the Sorn with his wife and children.
Is the Sorn Castle Haunted?
Rumour has it that Sorn has been haunted for hundreds of years. Green Jean is one of the resident ghosts who was a beautiful lady in waiting from the 1800s. Ned the nightwatchman is said to patrol the castle at night, and Maragaret haunts the servant's staircase. The custodians tell visitors that the Sorn ghosts who appear periodically are friendly.
Location of Sorn Castle