Eglinton Castle

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Eglinton Castle was a large house in North Ayrshire, Scotland.

One of the seats of the Earls of Eglinton, it was located just south of the town of Kilwinning.

Built in 1798 in castellated style dominated by a large round keep, it was second only to Culzean Castle in appearance and grandeur.

It is best remembered for the lavish, if ill-fated Eglinton Tournament, a medieval-style tournament organised in 1839 by the 13th Earl. The expense and extent of the preparations became news across Scotland, and the railway line was even opened in advance of its official opening to ferry guests to Eglinton. Although high summer, in typical Scottish style torrential rain washed the proceedings out, despite the participants, in full period dress, gamely attempting to participate in events such as jousting. Amongst the participants was the future Napoleon III of France.

The immense cost of upkeep eventually took its toll on the family, castle was abandoned in the early years of the twentieth century. Deroofed in 1925 and progressively ruinous, the building finally came to an undignified end during the Second World War when it was destroyed during army manoeuvres being held there.

In the 1970s plans were made to open the extensive grounds (988 acres) around the ruins to the public, and to that end what remained of the structure was made safe by demolishing all but a wing facade and a single tower.

In 1963 Ian Anstruther wrote an entertaining account of the 1839 tournament entitled The Knight and the Umbrella.