Dunure Castle

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Dunure castle.

Dunure Castle is located on the west coast of Scotland, in South Ayrshire, about 5 miles south of Ayr. Dunure Castle today stands in ruins on a rocky promontory. The site is believed to date from the late 13th century, however the remains of the building are of 15th and 16th century origin.

The castle is the point of origin of the Kennedys of Carrick, who once ruled over much of south western Scotland and were granted the lands in 1357. This family though should not be confused with the famous American Kennedy family which came from Co. Wexford in Ireland.

In August 1563, Mary, Queen of Scots visited the castle during her third progress round the west of the country.

In 1570, a dispute arose between Gilbert Kennedy, 4th Earl of Cassilis, and Alan Stewart, the lay Commendator to the Crossraguel Abbey over the ownership of some of the abbey lands. Gilbert kidnapped the Commendator and locked him in Dunure Castle. The Commendator was then tortured by being roasted alive on a spit over a fire. As a result of the torture, the lands were signed over to Gilbert. The Commendator was rescued from his confinement by the Laird of Bargany who arrived with a body of men and finally settled the ownership of the abbey lands.