Caprington Castle facts for kids
Caprington Castle is a beautiful old building in Scotland. It is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Kilmarnock, in East Ayrshire. This castle started as a strong tower, called a keep, back in the 1400s. Later, it was made part of a larger, fancy house. Today, people still live in Caprington Castle.
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History of Caprington Castle
Caprington Castle has a long and interesting past. It has been home to important families for centuries.
Early Owners: The Wallaces
The land where Caprington Castle stands was first owned by the Wallace family. They were known as the Wallaces of Sundrum. They took ownership of the property in 1385.
The Cunningham Family Takes Over
Around the year 1400, the castle changed hands. It went to the Cunningham family through a marriage. This was a common way for properties to be passed down in those times.
- The Cunningham family became very important.
- Between 1669 and 1829, some Cunninghams held a special title.
- This title was called a Baronetcy of Nova Scotia.
- It was a special honor given by the King.
Modernizing the Castle
In about 1829, the castle was updated. The original old tower was made part of a much larger, grander house. This is why Caprington Castle looks like a mix of old and new today.
What Caprington Castle Looks Like
Caprington Castle is a very impressive building. It combines old castle features with a more modern mansion style.
The Original Tower
The oldest part of the castle was a very strong tower. This tower is called a keep. It had thick walls and a small staircase wing. Another larger wing was added later.
- Today, the castle's dining room is inside the walls of the original keep.
Main Features of the Mansion
The main front of the castle is quite grand. It has a tall tower that is four stories high.
- This tower has a parapet, which is a low wall along the roof.
- It also has machicolations, which are openings that allowed defenders to drop things on attackers below.
- You can see square-shaped decorations above the windows.
- The corners of the building have square towers.
- There is a special covered entrance for cars, called a porte-cochere.
- The whole building sits on a raised area, like a big porch, called a terrace.
- The terrace has round defensive towers, known as bastions, at its corners.
Inside the Castle
The inside of Caprington Castle is also very grand. The main hall and staircase have beautiful plaster ceilings. They also feature other decorations in the Gothic Revival style. This style was popular in the 1800s and looked back to medieval designs.
- The current owners have old drawings.
- These drawings show what the castle looked like before it was updated.
Special Recognition
Caprington Castle is a very important historical building. It is listed as a Category A building. This means it is of national importance. The grounds around the castle are also special. They are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.
