When it comes to abandoned castles, Scotland holds first place for being inundated with these forgotten structures.
From completely demolished relics of the past, to buildings that Mother Nature has reclaimed as her own: Scotland’s landscape is dotted with these raw and authentic ruins that are full of history.
Ayrshire in particular is a proud fan-favourite within the Urban Exploring fanbase, with almost 200 castles in that area alone. Most are still living and breathing, and welcoming tourists in; others sit alone and overgrown, just decaying by the day.
Having personally visited a handful of these beautiful buildings, I can confidently say that you could easily spend an entire month moving from castle to castle, never getting bored as each one is so unique.
If you’re up for the challenge, here are 4 abandoned castles in Ayrshire, Scotland that you can still visit today.
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Buchanan Castle
Nestled to the west of the village of Drymen, Buchanan Castle is a stunning 19th Century Baronial structure that, strangely, sits among family homes in a residential area.
Its original purpose was to house the Buchanan family, though it was later used as a military hospital during World War I. Tragedy struck in 1925 when a fire devastated the building, leaving it in ruins, preserving only a shell of what once was.
Now what remains has been taken over by nature: moss-covered trees sit within the broken walls of the castle. An eerie silence surrounds the premises, as you walk around hearing nothing but the wind, and your own thoughts.
An intriguing historical footnote links Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s Deputy, to the castle. In an unexpected turn of events, Hess was treated here after his plane ran out of fuel during his solo mission to negotiate peace with the Duke of Hamilton, and was arrested just outside of Glasgow after parachuting to safety.
It’s important to note that Buchanan Castle is technically off-limits to visitors and trespassing is discouraged. However, no security is present on site. If you do decide to visit, please ensure you do not climb the trees or the walls, as it is difficult to advise just how much damage is hiding from plain sight.
Old Dalquharran Castle And Mansion
Located close to the village of Dailly, the property boasts not one, but two “castles”, along with outhouses, and an impressive courtyard.
The older of the two is a tower castle with roots reaching back to the 16th Century.
The newer structure, often referred to as a mansion, was commissioned by Thomas Kennedy in 1785 and remained habitable until the 1960s.
This transition left the old castle in a state of neglect by the riverside, about 300 metres away from the newer mansion. As upkeep proved difficult and expensive, the new mansion was eventually abandoned. The removal of its lead roof in 1967 marked a strategic move by the owners to declare it uninhabitable, sidestepping tax payments.
After years of abandonment, Dalquharran Mansion has felt the toll of time. The interior has continued to fall apart, whereas the exterior of the building seems impressively preserved. Despite this, it is still one of the most impressive abandoned castles in Scotland.
The location of these buildings is difficult to find with just your eyes: they are hidden within thick forests, and it requires some climbing to get into the courtyard of the mansion. Again, we do not encourage trespassing and urge you to explore safely if you do decide to visit.
Loch Doon Castle
Loch Doon Castle, believed to have been constructed in the late 1200s by an earl of Carrick, originally sat on an island within Loch Doon.
In 1935, an ingenious preservation effort saw the castle dismantled stone by stone and reassembled at its present location as rising water levels threatened its curtain wall due to a local hydroelectric scheme. Today, the castle’s remnants exist in a state of near dissolution, yet they are embraced by the breathtakingly picturesque surrounding countryside.
Loch Doon’s historical significance is evident in events such as support for claims to the Scottish throne in 1333, acting as defence against English besiegers. The 16th century saw more challenges, including unsuccessful attempts to capture the castle. The ultimate fate of the castle remains uncertain, though speculations suggest it might have succumbed to fire during James V’s reign.
Among the remains lies the iron portcullis, said to have protected the entrance and now possibly resting at the bottom of the lake
Loch Doon sits within Carrick Forest, a drive offering a scenic 6-mile route, accessible by vehicles from May to October. The journey starts at Loch Doon in the east or Stinchar Bridge, south of Straiton, in the west, with Loch Doon itself located along A713 between Dalmellington and Carsphairn.
Caldwell Castle And Mansion
Perched high on an East Renfrewshire hilltop, Caldwell Castle, a 16th-century tower, commands attention for miles around.
Once part of a larger courtyard castle, its present appearance reflects past modifications. Notably featured in the TV series ‘Restoration Man,’ the castle has undertaken various restoration attempts but is now closed to the public.
However, the nearby sister building, Caldwell Mansion, was built between 1770-1773 after being commissioned by the affluent Mure family. This still stands today, and is easily accessible to the public.
By 1927, the mansion transformed into a children’s mental health hospital until 1985, when it was then left abandoned. During this time, additional buildings were added, and modernisations, such as an elevator shaft, were added. Among the buildings added were a main boiler room, and nursing accommodation.
After its closure in 1985, a private individual purchased Caldwell House in hopes of renovating it into a care home for the elderly- this work was never carried out, and the state of the mansion continued to decline.
A fire in 1995 led to partial demolition; ruining the interior, and completely destroying the roof.
Today, Caldwell House stands as a shell, its grandeur faded, replaced by graffiti and wildlife refuge. Exploration requires caution, given its dilapidated state, with a lengthy walk from the car park and appropriate footwear recommended.
If you do decide to visit, please ensure you do not park on the driveway leading to the house. This upsets the locals and is a hassle they will not appreciate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It illegal to explore abandoned buildings in Scotland?
A very common question from those wanting to step into abandoned buildings. While entering derelict buildings in itself is not illegal in Scotland, you must ensure you are respecting private property boundaries, and take any “prohibited entry” signs seriously.
Many abandoned castles in Scotland are actively closed off to the public for your safety, especially those that are significantly dilapidated.
If you do find an abandoned building that you feel is safe and legal to enter, please remember the golden rule of Urban Exploring: “take only pictures, leave only footsteps”.
Be respectful of the buildings you are entering, and leave everything as you found it.
How many castles are there in Scotland, and why so many?
While an exact count will differ due to conflict as to what a “castle” truly is- it is safe to say that a common number agreed is around 2000 castles across the nation of Scotland.
Some are still open to tourists and offer a glimpse into the past with impressive museums and exhibitions; most, however, are abandoned and bearing witness to the passage of time.
As to why there are so many castles in Scotland, this is all down to protection. Clan leaders used these fortresses as homes, and for defence to protect their families. This is why you will find them scattered around, with some even being, seemingly, in the middle of nowhere!
Castles in the south of Scotland are particularly interesting, as many were built to protect themselves during the territory battles against the English.
How do you get to abandoned castles in Scotland?
Most of the abandoned castles in Scotland will require a car, and good walking boots!
This is due to their locations: many are hidden away, with some even hidden by forests, and so you will need to use Google Maps to pinpoint their exact location.
Popular Urban Exploring websites will have threads for each castle, detailing how to get there, signs to look out for, where to park, and what you should look out for. These are crucial as they are from someone who has been there and experienced the journey for themselves. It could be the difference between a few hours at an abandoned site, to an entire day at one site!
It is incredibly fun, and feels as though you are on a treasure hunt. Pack warm, take a good amount of food, and wear appropriate clothing as some of these buildings are very overgrown!
Read More about Scotland
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16+ Amazing Castles in Scotland
Visiting Eilean Donan Castile in Scotland
16+ Essential Tips for Visiting Scotland
Save “Abandoned Castles in Ayrshire” for Later
So many gorgeous castles! I especially love the ones covered in plants, they’re so whimsical.
Scotland is high up on my list of places to go. I just love those castles! As I don’t usually travel by car they may be too difficult to get to though. But luckily there are so many castles in Scotland – pretty sure I can find some to explore!
Scotland is on my travel bucket list and I’d love to visit one day! All your recommendations look like great places to visit. Hopefully, I can visit one day to see some of these castles. Thanks for sharing!
These are soooo cool Pamela! I grew up exploring abandoned castles in Ireland, so I never really noticed how cool they are… Until I was chatting to a friend here in Canada who mentioned they had planned a whole trip around the UK to visit castles – I was like “woah, I would love that!” It made me realize how much I miss the “old” stuff in Europe. It’s funny how sometimes you need to leave to appreciate the stuff you grew up with.
I’ve visited lots in the UK, but not in Ayrshire – now you have me convinced I should 😀
Very cool! I had no idea there were abandoned castles like this that you can visit. Thanks for sharing!