Dalquharran Castle

Dalquarran Castle - Photo © Mary and Angus Hogg, 2 May 2008

Dalquharran Castle, South Ayrshire Photo © Paul C, 24 September 2005

Dalquarran Castle - Photo © Mary and Angus Hogg, 2 May 2008

Dalquharran Castle, a fine mansion in Dailly parish, Ayrshire, on the right bank of Girvan Water, 5 furlongs E of Dailly station, this being 7 miles SSW of Maybole. Built about 1790, it was the seat of the Right Hon. Thos. Fran. Kennedy (1788-1879), who sat for the Ayr burghs from 1818 till 1834.

--DALQUHARRAN CASTLE, AYRSHIRE.

This remarkable edifice is situated at a bend of the Girvan Water, near Dailly, about six miles from the mouth of the river at Girvan. Originally a rectangular keep, it was greatly enlarged and converted into an extensive mansion towards the close of the seventeenth century.

The lands of "Dalchorane" are confirmed to the abbey of Crosraguel by Edward Bruce, Earl of Oarrick, in 1324, and the first laird of whom mention occurs is Gilbert Kennedy, in 1474. The property is said to have been subsequently acquired by the Kennedies of Girvan Mains. Towards the end of the seventeenth century Sir Thomas Kennedy of Kirkhill, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, purchased the estates of Girvan Mains and Dalquharran, and he also acquired the castle and domain of Dunure. In William Abercrummie's Description of Carrick, written at the end of the seventeenth century, the edifice is referred to as "the stately castle of Dolquharran, the building whereof is much improven by the additions lately made thereto, which make it by far the best house of all that country; surrounded with vast enclosures of wood, that the country is not able to consume it by their building and other instruments." stands on a mound some 20 to 30 feet above the river, which flows round the east and south, while there was in all probability a moat, fed by the river on the north and west sides. The building formed a keep about 60 feet long by 30 feet wide, with walls 5 feet in thickness. The entrance door was probably on the first floor, entering directly to the hall, possibly at the north-west angle. This floor may have contained two apartments. the hall at the west end and a private room at the east end, as there are two fireplaces. The private room would thus be in communication with the apartment in the round tower at the south-east angle, and a narrow stair from the recess of the south window leads from it to the cellars in the basement, which are all vaulted. Several lockers occur in the wall, a usual provision in private rooms ; one of these is of an ornate description, and contains the arms of the Kennedies. With reference to this shield, Paterson says: "The Kennedy arms may still be seen as on the seal of the Caldwell charter of 1537, with two lymphads and a star in chief." This, taken in connection with documents signed in 1536 by John Kennedy of Culzean, at "my place" of Dalquharran, leads him to the conclusion that at that date the property belonged to the Culzean family, although it was subse- quently acquired by the Kennedies of Girvan Mains, a branch of the Cassillis stock.

The exterior of this structure is very remarkable. The round tower at one angle is a somewhat unusual arrangement, but may also be observed at Rait and Morton Castles, f The buttressing of the south-west angle is also unusual; it may have been found necessary owing to some weakness in the foundation at that point. The keep is still crowned with what appears to be the original parapet and corbel table. At the south-west angle this is continued round an open bartizan, and it is most probable that the north-east and north-west angles had similar terminations. The corbelling is of a description very unusual in Scotland, being enriched with a small ogee arch over the spaces between the corbels, which produces a much more ornate effect than the straight lintel generally adopted, and recalls an English rather than a Scottish practice. From its plan and careful finish this castle may be classed with the exceptional examples of the Third Period above referred to.

About 1679 large additions were made to the ancient keep, converting it into the "stately castle" so highly commended by Abercrummie. These additions are in the advanced Renaissance of that date, having projecting rustic corners, facings round the windows, and a classic door-piece. The latter contains the motto, "Ut Scrip tura sonat finis non pugna coronat." The new buildings consist of a wing about 55 feet long and 23 feet wide, with a round tower at the north-east angle and a square tower in the re-entering angle, containing a wheel-stair with steps about 5 feet in length, leading both to the old keep and the new work. Another square tower, containing a circular staircase, is placed at the north-west angle. The view from north-west shows distinctly the additions made on the north side of the keep, the old parapet and corbels being covered by them, and only left visible where no new buildings have been placed. The new north wing seems to have contained kitchen offices on the basement, and a large drawing-room on the first floor and bedrooms above. The round tower at the north-east angle has been placed there with the view of balancing that at the south-east angle.

The space in front of the entrance, and completing the square, is enclosed with a balustrade, and had a large gateway with ornamental pillars on the north side, part of which still exists ; and there are indications that the grounds were laid out with gardens, bowling-greens, and other ornamental devices of the period. This ancient structure is still surrounded with fine woods, as in Abercrummie's day. The modern mansion of Dalquharran (built in 1790), the residence of F. T. Komilly Kennedy, Esq. of Dunure, stands on the higher ground above the old castle.

THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND BY DAVID MACGIBBON AND THOMAS ROSS, 1889--