Ranfurly Castle

Ranfurly Castle is a medieval castle ruin consisting of a stone keep with thick walls rising several meters high and containing multiple interior chambers. Several of these rooms feature vaulted ceilings and are connected through passages, with openings cut into the walls for defense and light.

The Knox family built this castle in the mid-15th century as their stronghold in the region, and it remained in their hands for over 200 years. After leaving Knox control, the site passed to the Earls of Dundonald, who held it as the landscape gradually reclaimed the stone structures.

The castle served as a family stronghold and its layout reveals how medieval nobility lived and defended their lands in this region. The arrangement of rooms and openings shows the daily needs of people who once called this place home.

The ruins sit on a rocky outcrop beside the River Gryfe within the grounds of a golf course, making it easy to spot from the surrounding landscape. The elevated location provides open views across the region and the site is accessible without requiring specialized equipment to explore the exterior.

A large doorway cut into the eastern wall beside a narrow window reveals that the original structure underwent later modifications by its residents. This alteration shows that inhabitants adapted the building to suit changing needs over the centuries.

Location: Renfrewshire

Location: Kilbarchan

GPS coordinates: 55.85261,-4.58414

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:24