Craufurdland Castle facts for kids

Craufurdland Castle is an old and impressive building in Scotland. It's a type of castle called a "tower house" that was rebuilt over time. You can find it about 2.5 miles northeast of Kilmarnock, in a beautiful area called East Ayrshire. It sits near the Craufurdland Water, which is a river. This castle has a long history, dating back to the 1500s!

The Castle's Story: A Look Back in Time

Who Lived Here? The Crawford Family

For hundreds of years, starting in the 1200s, Craufurdland Castle belonged to a powerful family called the Crawfords. A famous member of this family, John Crawford of Craufurdland, sadly died in a big battle called the battle of Flodden in 1513.

Building and Changing Over Time

The main part of the castle was first built in the 1500s. But it didn't stay the same! It was changed and made bigger many times. In the 1600s, it got a new look and more rooms. Then, in the 1700s and 1800s, even more parts were added.

In 1793, the castle's ownership changed to the Howieson family. Later, in the 1980s, the castle was carefully fixed up and restored. It's still a home today, which is pretty cool for such an old building!

A Special Royal Job

The person who owns Craufurdland Castle, known as the Laird, has a very old and unique job. They are called the Washer of the Sovereign's Hands in Scotland. This is a special role that has been passed down through the family for a long time.

What Does Craufurdland Castle Look Like?

The Old Tower and Its Features

Part of the original tower from the 1500s is still standing. It's now part of the castle's west side. This section is three floors high, plus it has an attic at the very top.

One cool feature is a "battlement" that sticks out from the wall. This is a special walkway with gaps that defenders used to protect the castle. The very bottom floor, called the basement, has a "vaulted" ceiling. This means the ceiling is curved like an arch, which makes it very strong.

Inside the tower, many changes have been made over the years. However, one special room, called the King's Room, has a beautiful plaster ceiling from 1668. It even shows the symbols of the Stewart family.

Newer Parts of the Castle

The east side of the castle was built in the 1600s and has two floors. People also say there's a secret underground tunnel that connects Craufurdland Castle to Dean Castle, which is several miles away!

Over time, the castle was changed to look like a grand mansion. It was designed in a style called "Gothic Revival." This means it copied the dramatic and decorative look of medieval Gothic buildings, but it was built much later.

Images for kids

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  Drawing of Craufurdland Castle