Castles near Ayr: a guide
If there’s one thing Scotland’s well known for, it’s castles. From Scottish baronial estates to medieval ruins, there are hundreds of awe-inspiring ancient buildings to visit, and many of them are just a short drive from us at Craig Tara.
Some of these castles are beautifully maintained, and offer a fascinating insight into a bygone era, as well as offering activities, places to eat and gardens to stroll in. In many instances, you’re welcome to bring your dog along.
Here are the best castles near Ayr to visit, with distances from Craig Tara.
Dunure Castle
3 miles from Craig Tara
Many of Scotland’s oldest castles are little more than picturesque ruins. Less than four miles from Craig Tara, you’ll find one such site. Dunure Castle, as featured in Season 3 of the TV show Outlander, stands in picturesque disarray on a promontory in Kennedy Park, just off Castle Road, Dunure.
The structure dates back to the 13th century, although its builders aren’t known. It became the ancestral seat of the Kennedy clan of Carrick in the 14th century and was already in ruins by the 17th century. Needless to say, watch your step and enjoy!
Culzean Castle
10 miles from Craig Tara
When Hollywood imagines Scottish castles, Culzean is probably what they have in mind. This massive 16th century edifice boasts a presidential suite, a 10,000 estate, including a deer park, and a pristine ornamental garden. In fact, it did feature in a 1973 film, The Wicker Man, as Lord Summerisle’s home.
Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, Culzean was formerly the home of the Marquess of Ailsa, the chief of the Clan Kennedy. It’s now open to the public, and you can even rent the Dwight G. Eisenhower suite, created to honour a presidential visitor, or get married here.
Redesigned in the 18th century by Robert Adam, the castle towers over the Ayrshire cliffs. It has everything you’d want from a castle visit, offering tours inside, a farm shop, restaurant, a second-hand bookshop, and gardens to wander. For the kids, there’s an ice cream parlour and no less than two playparks. You could easily spend a day here and not see everything.
Culzean’s grounds are very dog-friendly, and there are woodlands and a nearby beach to explore too. It’s one of the best days out near Craig Tara.
Thomason Castle
9 miles from Craig Tara
Rather less well preserved than Culzean, but darkly impressive, is the medieval Thomason Castle, which stands just off the road adjacent to the Culzean estate. It’s a surprisingly intact 13th-century castle built for a cousin of Robert the Bruce.
There are no visitor facilities there, but it’s worth a photo or two if you’re visiting Culzean, and it’s interesting to note that it predates its famous neighbour by around 400 years.
Maybole Castle
8 miles from Craig Tara
Maybole Castle stands right in the middle of the small town of the same name. It’s yet another Kennedy clan property and dates to the 16th century. It's towering, and slightly sinister, with a dark history.
Privately owned, you can’t visit this property unfortunately. However, it can be viewed from the town’s High Street. Around a mile away, on Kirkoswald Road, you can see the ruins of Crossraguel Abbey, founded in the 1200s.
Newark Castle
3 miles from Craig Tara
One of the nearest castles to us at Craig Tara is Newark Castle. It’s in private ownership and not open to the public but is easy to photograph from the road. Also known as New-Wark of Bargany, its yet another Kennedy property, built in the late 15th or early 16th centuries and expanded in later eras.
You can see Newark Castle from the A719, two miles south of Ayr. It’s an attractive building, nestling against a wooded hillside, and well worth a photo as you head towards the city from Craig Tara.
Baltersan Castle
10 miles from Craig Tara
A little southwest of Maybole stands Baltersan Castle, another partly ruined L-plan tower house, built in 1584 for John Kennedy of Pennyglen. It was constructed on the site of an earlier house belonging to one of Crossraguel Abbey’s major benefactors, Egidia Blair, Lady Row, who was buried at the Abbey in 1530.
The walls of the castle are mostly intact, although its roof and interior has crumbled. It was briefly mooted for restoration on a 2005 episode of the show Dragon’s Den.
Greenan Castle
2 miles from Greenan Castle
One of the most appealing ruined castles in Ayrshire is Greenan Castle, which stands on the cliffs just southwest of Ayr. You can park at the Greenan Road car park and walk along the coastal path or stroll the beach at low tide and reach the castle at your leisure. It’s a dog-friendly route too.
The ruined castle dates to around the 12th century and was built on the site of an earlier fort converted into a mott and bailey styled castle. It was further modernised in the 15th and 16th centuries. Like most of the nearby fortifications it belonged to the Kennedy clan, and you can see the inscription “JK 1603 FMD” over the door lintel which refers to John Kennedy of Baltersan and his wife Florence MacDowell.
On a sunny day, the walk and neighbouring beach make a pleasant day out in their own right. A visit to the castle is the icing on the cake!
Cassillis Castle
8 miles from Craig Tara
Rather grander and more immaculate than other local castles, Cassillis Castle is privately owned.
Although you can’t visit the castle, you may be able to spot it from the road between Minishant and Dalrymple. Fortunately, the town of Maybole is just four miles away, and features several much more accessible castles also on this list.
Dalquharran Castle
16 miles from Craig Tara
This castle involves a longer drive from Craig Tara and is near the town of Girvan to the south. It’s another late Kennedy castle, built for Gilbert Kennedy by the celebrated architect Robert Adam in 1790. Sadly, it now lies in ruins, but it remains an imposing and remarkable folly.
Much of the site is fenced off for safety but you can walk around it and imagine its initial grandeur. On the same site, there are the remains of an older castle, from around 1679, also ruined. This is one for the intrepid explorer or photographer but do be careful if you venture inside!
Start planning your Great British break
Related Posts
18 of the Best Beaches in Scotland
Best swimming pools near Ayr
Best walks near Ayr
Things to do in Ayr
Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Combe Haven, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Golden Sands, Greenacres, Haggerston Castle, Skegness, The Orchards, Quay West and Wild Duck only until the stock has been sold. Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £29,995 – reduced from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £29,995 until 31 August 2024 at which point it will revert to £33,995. At Far Grange the holiday home price point is reduced from £33,995 and will revert to this price on 31 August 2024.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at – Blue Dolphin, Caister-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Haggerston Castle, The Orchards, Quay West, and Wild Duck
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Free 2024 site fees when you buy a Haven holiday home
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 19 April 2024, completing by 31 December 2024.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Kent Coast, Burnham-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Hopton, Orchards, Skegness and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2024 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.