Ayr Castle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ayr Castle
Ayr, Scotland
Ayr Castle
Coordinates	55°27′54″N 4°38′08″W / 55.4650°N 4.6355°W / 55.4650; -4.6355
Type	Tower
Site information
Open to the public	Private
Condition	Demolished
Site history
Built	1197
In use	Until 16th or 17th century
Materials	Stone

Ayr Castle was a castle situated at Ayr in Scotland. Once considered a royal castle, nothing remains of it above ground.

History

In 1197, the castle was built by King William the Lion of Scotland, who later in 1205 created a burgh at Ayr. The castle was captured by the Norwegian King Håkon Håkonsson and a substantial Norwegian army in 1263 which led to the Battle of Largs after which it returned to Scottish control. Robert the Bruce burned the castle in August 1298 in order to keep it out of the hands of the English. The castle in 1542 was garrisoned by French troops and appears to have been demolished before the Cromwellian occupation between 1650–1651.