Hunterston Castle

Hunterston Castle is a fortress in North Ayrshire featuring a late 12th-century tower with a barrel-vaulted basement beneath it. An 18th-century manor house was later connected to this medieval core, creating a building that spans two distinct periods.

King David I of Scotland granted the estate to Norman French settlers known as the Hunters in the 12th century, establishing a residency that lasted around 900 years. This long continuity of family ownership shaped the castle's evolution and development.

The Baronial Hall displays the Hunter family coat of arms, a replica of the Hunterston Brooch, and their oldest document, the Charter. These objects show how this family marked their presence and identity over centuries of residence.

The castle can be reached via the A78 north of West Kilbride, where stone pillars marked with Hunterston Estate guide visitors along the entrance. The clear markers make it straightforward to locate the property and find your way to the grounds.

The tower contains a medieval toilet facility known as the Garde Robe, accessed through the main staircase entrance. This private convenience was an impressive feature for its time, reflecting the household's standards of comfort.