Ardrossan Castle

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Situated on the west coast of Ayrshire, Scotland in the town of Ardrossan.

1 History
2 Description
3 Legends
4 Bibliography

[edit] History

Location of Ardrossan Castle at NS233424.

The history of the town of Ardrossan can be traced to the castle, which is situated upon a rocky hill. This is reflected in the name; 'ard' meaning height, and 'rossan' a rocky promontory.

The present castle is on the site of an earlier castle owned by the Barclay family. By the thirteenth century it had passed to the Ardrossan family.

In 1292, under the reign of John Balliol, the castle fell to the invading English army, who held it until 1296, when it was scene to an infamous event known as Wallace's Larder. William Wallace lured the English garrison out of the castle by setting a decoy fire in the village, and then he and his followers stormed the castle. Wallace had the entire garrisson slaugtered and thrown in the dungeon. The castle was then partly dismantled.

The castle was acquired by Sir John Montgomery (who captured Harry Hotspur Percy at the Battle of Otterburn) and he remodelled it. His son became Lord Montgomery in about 1445, and his son in turn became the first Earl of Eglinton. The family sheltered in the castle after the Cunningham’s sacked their castle at Eglinton, Ayrshire. Afterwards it fell into disuse.

The castle remained until 1648, when Oliver Cromwell's troops destroyed it, removing much of the stone and taking it to Ayr to build a fort there. The ruins of the castle still stand, but are in hazardous condition.

[edit] Description

The castle, defended by a moat, stands on a ridge above the town. There is a keep dating from the fifteenth century, and a vaulted range containing a kitchen and cellars. In a deep passageway there is a well. Part of the keep remains up to the corbels of the parapet, but it is very ruinous.

[edit] Legends

The castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of William Wallace, who is said to wander the ruins on stormy nights.

The castle is also associated with the Devil. Sir Fergus Barclay, also known as the De'il of Ardrossan, was a horseman, famous around the lands for his trememdous skill. The secret to his skill, however, was a magical bridle, which was given to Barclay by the Devil, in exchange for his soul. However, the Devil was tricked by Barclay into giving his soul back. Infuriated by this trickery, the Devil attacked the castle in his rage, and is said to have left his hoof prints on one of the rocks. Sir Fergus Barclay is buried in the castle chapel, situated a few hundred yards inland from the castle, further down the hill.