Hunterston Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hunterston Castle |
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| West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, Scotland UK |
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The keep to the right with the later house to the left
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 Hunterston Castle
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| Coordinates | 55°43′22″N 4°52′44″W / 55.7229°N 4.8789°W |
| Type | Tower house |
| Height | 34 metres |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Clan Hunter |
| Open to the public |
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Listed Building – Category A
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| Designated | 14 April 1971 |
| Reference no. | LB14313 |
| Condition | Preserved |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1263 with additions added in 17th centuries onwards |
| Built by | John Huntar (4th Laird) |
Hunterston Castle is a historic home located in West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It has been the home of the lairds (landowners) of Clan Hunter for a very long time. The oldest part of the castle, called the keep, was built in the late 1400s or early 1500s. A house was later added to it in the 1600s.
The land where the castle stands was given to the Hunter family by David I of Scotland in the 1100s. This means the leaders of the Clan Hunter have lived on this estate for about 900 years! Hunterston Castle is a very important historical building, known as a Category A listed building.
History of Hunterston Castle
The Hunter family originally came from Normandy in France. They were given the lands around Hunterston by King David I of Scotland in the 1100s. During the Middle Ages, the chief of the Clan Hunter was given a special job: the Royal Huntsman. This was a hereditary title, meaning it passed down through the family.
The Hunter family has owned the castle ever since. However, in the 1900s, the government bought a large part of their land. This was done to build the Hunterston A and Hunterston B nuclear power stations nearby.
Castle Design and Features
The main tower of Hunterston Castle was built in the late 1400s or early 1500s. There were likely older buildings on this spot before that. In the 1600s, a house was built next to the tower. This gave the family more space to live.
Later, in the 1800s, the family decided they needed even more room. So, they built a new, larger house called Hunterston House. This new house was built in the Neoclassical style and is located north of the castle. In 1926, a famous architect named Robert Lorimer worked to restore the old castle. Hunterston Castle is still recognized as a Category A listed building today.
Visiting Hunterston Castle
From 1974 to 1985, Hunterston Castle was open to the public every day. However, new rules for the nearby facilities changed this. It became harder to allow many visitors.
After 1985, people could only visit the castle by asking in advance. This changed again in 1994, when only members of Clan Hunter were allowed to visit. For a few years in the 2000s, the castle was open one day a year as part of the Doors Open Days event. But this was also stopped. Now, only Clan Hunter members can visit inside the castle.
Even though you can't go inside, you can still see the castle from the outside. It is right next to a public path and a cycle route, so you can view it as you pass by.
