Situated in rural Ayrshire, against a spectacular coastal backdrop, Dundonald Castle is a monument which stands as testimony, not only to the origins of the Royal Stewart dynasty, but also to the development of the nation of Scotland itself.
Having lapsed into obscurity from the 16th Century onwards, Dundonald Castle has experienced something of a renaissance, transformed from a forgotten and neglected ruin into one of Ayrshire’s must see visitor attractions.
The Friends of Dundonald Castle seek to promote awareness and interpret the history of the site by providing; guides who can conduct visitors around the castle, an exhibition space with highly detailed models recreating the evolution of the castle hill and by the production of a new guidebook relating the castles development and history.
But it’s more than a visitor attraction. With weddings, musical events and even serving as a film venue, Dundonald Castle is increasingly a living castle, contributing not only as a stopping point for visitors but also as a focus for the local community.
Brief History of Dundonald Castle
Built for the accession of Robert II, the first Stewart king, in 1371 Dundonald Castle is a splendid example of a medieval tower house, with a fine barrel-vaulted ceiling in the lower hall.
It sits on a prominent hilltop in Dundonald Village and commands fine views over the Firth of Clyde. The Castle was built on the site of earlier castles belonging to the High Stewards of Scotland and can be regarded as the cradle of the Stewart Dynasty.
The Castle Visitor Centre includes an exhibition illustrating the history of the site and a display of some of the artefacts found during archaeological excavations on the hill.
Visitor Centre and Museum
One of the most important development over the years was the creation of a visitor centre at the foot of the hill, which includes a cafe, souvenir shop and an interpretive exhibition. The exhibition outlines the history of the Castle and its preceding buildings with detailed models of the earlier castles on the site.
Some of the artefacts, which were unearthed in the archaeological dig, are also on show, and there is a colourful display showing the heraldic shields in their original colours.
In addition to its strong Stewart connections Dundonald is also closely associated with the Cochranes of Cowden, who took the title of Earls of Dundonald in the 17th century and some items relating to this illustrious family are available for viewing in the Centre.
The visitor centre is owned by South Ayrshire Council and is operated on their behalf by The Friends of Dundonald Castle. The friendly staff will be delighted to assist you during your visit and will try to answer any questions you may wish to ask. The cafe sells a selection of hot and cold drinks, home baking and confectionery and the shop sells a range of quality goods and a small selection of appropriate books.
The Castle and the Visitors’ Centre from 10am to 5pm from the 1st April through to 31st October with last entry to the Castle being 4.30pm. Group visits outside these times can be arranged by contacting the visitor centre on 01563 851489.
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Dundonald Castle, Visitor Centre and Museum