Seagate Castle, 16th-century castle in Irvine, Scotland
Seagate Castle is a 14th-century fortress ruin in Irvine on the North Ayrshire coast. The structure had three stories with several towers projecting outward, including two round ones and a triangular design that served defensive purposes.
The Montgomery family built the castle around 1361 at this strategic location on the River Irvine. The structure served as a crucial fortification to protect the harbor and surrounding settlement from attacks.
The name refers to a gate to the sea, reflecting the castle's role as a harbor entrance. Walking around the ruins today, you can sense how the town developed around this defensive structure over the centuries.
The ruins stand on Seagate Street in central Irvine and are easy to reach on foot. The site was restored in 2011 by North Ayrshire Council and remains freely accessible to visitors at all times.
The large fireplace in the castle kitchen was repurposed by smugglers during the 1800s to produce illegal whisky. After the roof became unsafe, they used the sheltered space to carry out their forbidden activities away from authorities.
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