Kerse Castle

Kerse Castle is a medieval castle ruin in East Ayrshire featuring large earthworks and ditches running along Bow Burn. The site is marked by remnants of ancient apple trees and beech plantations that indicate its original location.

The castle was built in the 13th century by the Crawford Clan and remained in use until 1760, when its stones were repurposed to construct Skeldon House. This reuse of materials shows how the region transformed its medieval past.

The castle was central to clan rivalries between the Crawford and Kennedy families that shaped the region's past. These conflicts remain part of local storytelling and help visitors understand the site's former importance to the community.

The site can be identified by extensive wall remains and planted trees including beech and chestnut near the original structure. The surrounding landscape along the burn provides natural reference points for exploring the ruins.

A severe storm on December 29, 1797, caused the final standing wall of the castle to collapse and marked the end of the structure. This natural event sealed the dissolution of the physical remains after centuries of use.

Location: East Ayrshire

GPS coordinates: 55.39600,-4.46700

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:21