Auchenharvie Castle

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Auchenharvie Castle is a former castle in North Ayrshire, Scotland.

The ruins still stand in a strongly defensible position at Auchenharvie Farm. Previously the castle was known as Achin-Hervy, Awthinharye in c1564 (Rollie 1980), Auchinbervy by Moll in 1745, Achenhay (1775 & 1807), Auchenhowy is used by Ainslie in 1821. The meaning is suggested by Pont as being 'Field of yellow corn', although 'Auchans' is also Scots for a pear. The castle had long been in the hands of the Cunninghames and notably it was owned by Dr. Robert Cunninghame who was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1673 and was Physician to Charles II in Scotland. He was very wealthy and purchased the Barony of Stevenston (Dobie 1876). In January 1678 Robert Cunynghame, apothecary / druggist in Edinburgh, is stated to be the heir to Anne, daughter of Sir Robert Cunynghame of Auchenharvie. She was Robert's cousin German and part of his inheritance was the Barony of Stevenston and the lands of Auchenharvie. He also owned some of the lands of Lambroughton and Chapeltoun. He married Anne Purves of Purves Hall in 1669 and had seventeen children. Despite his inheritance he later got into serious debt (Dobie 1776).

A good deal remains of this typical tower castle, which has been ruinous since the 1770's, with indications of the barrel roof vaulting, side tower, ornate sandstone ornamentation, etc. Uncommon orchids have been recorded as growing on the motte.

The house belonged to Sir David Cunningham of Auchenharvie, an absentee courtier, till 1642. He planned to add additional building in 1634, beginning with a garden wall around the old tower. He had thought the house too small to accommodate his friends in 1628, so he asked his cousin David Cunningham of Robertland to accommodate his mother so that if his friends visited they could stay at Robertland instead.

An estate named Auchenharvie was built by the family in Stevenston and although demolished, the name lives on in Auchenharvie Academy. Middleton near Annick Lodge had been part of the estate, passing into the hands of the Hamiltons of Bourtreehill and then passing to the Earls of Eglinton (Dobie 1876).

The castle mound today is rich in wildlflowers, however any visitor should beware as the castle sits in an elevated position with an unfenced vertical drop.

[edit] See Also

• Cunninghamhead
• Chapeltoun
• Corsehill
• Chapeltoun
• Scottish Rural Life, History Dictionary
• Cunninghamhead, Perceton and Annick Lodge
• Perceton
• Annick Lodge

[edit] References

• Dobie, James D. (ed Dobie, J.S.) (1876). Cunninghame, Topographized by Timothy Pont 1604-1608, with continuations and illustrative notices. Pub. John Tweed, Glasgow.
• Rollie, James (1980). The invasion of Ayrshire. A Background to the County Families. Pub. Famedram. P.83.
• Correspondence of David Cunningham of Auchinharvie to Robertland, National Archives of Scotland GD237/25/1-4