First we went to Ballantrae, watched over by the Castle of Ardstinchar, now a dangerous ruin. It was one of the strongholds of the Kennedys of Bargany, the most powerful family in the South of Carrick.
This is a strange decorative panel on the mausoleum of Thomas Kennedy of Bargany who was ambushed and slain by the forces of the Kennedy Earl of Cassilis in January1602 whilst travelling home from Ayr after meeting with his sister. The Bargany family were effectively wiped out - Thomas' little son grew up with his Stewart relations and died childless and penniless.
The entrance to the old church in Ballantrae next door to the mausoleum. Sadly the mausoleum is locked due to previous attempted robberies (!), and at the time of writing, all the keys had gone missing according to the council who are responsible.
The ruin of Ardstinchar Castle, built to watch the crossing over the River Stinchar, a key strategic location.
Above, the ruined Castle Kennedy near Stranraer sits among the beautiful gardens now owned by the Dalrymple of Stair family. This was the site of an older castle of the Earl of Cassilis who used it to exercise his power over the lords of Galloway. He was unpopular there and on one occasion was even forced to call upon his rival Bargany for help when besieged by the Galwegians on the island, as it was then. Bargany assisted the Earl but it did not heal the division between them.
Below, Culzean Castle, a few miles down the coast from Ayr, was the Seat of the chief of the Kennedy family, the Marquis of Ailsa until the 1940s. It was rebuilt from the old tower house in the 1700s into a magnificent stately home. It became the Seat in the late 1700s when the (American, New York-based) Laird of Culzean inherited the Earldom.
During the struggle between Bargany and Cassilis at the end of the 1500s, The Laird of Culzean was on the side of the latter, his nephew, having been his tutor.
The grounds and gardens are huge and splendid.
In Brunston Golf Course near the town of Dailly, down by the Water of Girvan river is Brunston Castle, lies the latter residence of three-times married "Black Bessie" Kennedy who was a cause of contention between Cassilis, Culzean and Bargany (father of the murdered Bargany) in the late 1500s, regarding her lands. Bessie was Bargany's aunt. Curiously, part of the dispute revolved around a golfing accident that happened to Bargany.
The castle is ruined and almost swallowed up by trees and weeds.
A short distance further north along the Water of Girvan and unannounced by road signs is Dalquharran Castle, which was built by a member of the Culzean Kennedys. Again it is surrounded by weeds and trees but is very much intact and extremely impressive though entry is not recommended on grounds of safety.
Above the doorway to old Dalquharran is a superb Kennedy crest.
On top of the hill overlooking the old castle stands the new castle of Dalquharran. It was built at huge expense in the 1700s to rival Culzean. Despite its grandeur, it was abandoned long ago and is now surrounded by fencing and warning signs.
From the front glimpsed between the enveloping foliage, the haunted glory of this house is still to be seen.
Further to the north is the town of Maybole, central pivot of Carrick through which all roads seem to meet and from where the Earls of Cassilis spread their influence along the byways of South Ayrshire for 500 years. The opposing southern-based Kennedy axis also had its presence in the town of course.
Maybole Castle was the town house of the Earl of Cassilis.
Just outside Maybole (A77) on the road to Crossraguel Abbey, is Baltersan Castle, owned by the Culzean Kennedys.
Kennedy of Blairquhan owned this town house, which is now owned by the council. He was a key supporter of Kennedy of Bargany during the bitter disputes that led to the fatal battle of 11th December 1601 at Lady Cross just outside Maybole.
Below - the old "Brig O' Doon" whence the Laird of Bargany set out for home on 11th December accompanied by a few companions and armed retainers. It was here that two scouts for the Earl of Cassilis were spotted, causing Bargany's ally Mure of Auchendrane to plead that Bargany remain in Ayr.
South West of Maybole is Crossraguel Abbey which was ruled over by Kennedy abbots for many years. The tower house in the right hand corner of the picture was the residence of the last Abbott, William Kennedy.
Within the grounds of the Abbey is a grave containing the remains of an unnamed Kennedy knight.
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| Kennedy knight's grave |
When the abbey lands were broken up, Gilbert the Fourth Earl of Cassilis (father of the Earl who was to have Bargany killed in 1602) wanted the Crossraguel lands for himself. He kidnapped Allan Stewart the abbey commendator (lay official appointed by the state to administer the abbey lands) and took him to the castle of Dunure (above) where he tortured Stewart by cooking him over the fire in the "Black Vault" in order to extract a signature on papers giving the lands to him. The commendator refused to sign. Having suffered for some days, at length Stewart was rescued by Kennedy of Bargany after a short siege.
Dunure is the oldest-known Kennedy residence, dating back to the 13th century when John Kennedy of Dunure is named in official documents.
Glenluce Abbey (below) in Galloway was seized by Gilbert Fourth Earl of Cassilis by a series of murders (see The Historie of The Kennedyis, elsewhere on this blog)
Being a Kennedy myself (living in Newcastle, I find this fascinating
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