Craigneil Castle

Craigneil Castle, South Ayrshire
Photo © Astrid Horn, 30 June 2009

Colmonell is a small village in the Stinchar Valley, South Ayrshire. The nearest town is Girvan, ten miles away. The River Stinchar runs through the valley and the Colmonell area boasts three ruined castles: Craigneil Castle (thirteenth century), Kirkhill Castle (sixteenth century) and Knockdolian Castle (sixteenth century).

This impressive ruin dates from the 13th century, and in its time served as a hiding place of Robert the Bruce, a feudal prison and a place of execution.

CRAIGNEIL CASTLE, Colmonell, Ayrshire.

A rectangular tower, 42 feet by 30 feet, situated on the top of a rocky height on the south side of the river Stinchar, opposite the village of Colmonell. The hill being partly composed of limestone, has been quarried out as far as the base of the castle, an operation which has greatly increased the picturesqueness of its situation.

This tower may belong to the fourteenth or fifteenth century. The walls are 6 feet thick. The entrance doorway is on the ground level at the south-east angle, where a newel staircase led to the upper floors (Fig. 252). A peculiarity here is that the basement has not been vaulted. There was a large hall on the first floor, but the principal hall was on the second floor, the roof of which is vaulted, and where remains of the great fire-place may still be traced.

Craigneil is said to derive its name from Nigel Bruce, King Robert's brother, but this tradition is very doubtful.

This castle is now the property of William McConnel, Esq. of Knockdolian. -- The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland by David Macgibbon and Thomas Ross 1889