Castles in Ayrshire

Craufurdland Castle

The castle dates from 1245, one of the oldest in Ayrshire. It was the home to the Craufurds of Craufurdland since. Craufurdland Castle is split into two apartments, the Tower House, a luxury self catering apartment for up to 16 people, and the Laird’s House, next door, where the current laird lives.

Interesting features include the remains of a secret passageway in the laird’s room.

The Castle is available to rent – sleeping up to 16 People

The original tower was one of the first authentically Scottish tower houses built. Later additions were added to this. The tower to the right of the central block on the west end is the oldest part, just three windows pierce the thick walls, but was later altered to add crenellations and a roof with crow-stepped gables. The main entrance is dominated by a 19th-century addition; a grand entrance added between 1830-40 (architect unknown) with a Gothic doorway with the family coat of arms set in a panel above it, leading up to an imposing tower with small corner turrets. The large ecclesiastical windows give the impression that one is looking at a small church. The interior today tries to make a virtue of the lack of ancestral clutter. The house was rented out for many years and the current generation have taken a more modern approach to the decor which unfortunately doesn’t always match up to the beautiful and imposing rooms in which it has been placed.

The current owner is Simon Craufurd so is still in Crauford (Crawford) hands. The castle has rich associations to many of the leading figures of Scottish history, wonderful stories of a tunnel which thwarted the attacking English, and a tale of helping King James I fight off a gang of bandits.

Clan Connections with Castle Craufurdland

Clan Crawford >