Law Castle facts for kids
Law Castle is a historic building found on the lower slopes of Law Hill. It sits near the town of West Kilbride in North Ayrshire, Scotland. You can find it about 200 meters from the local railway station.
This castle has a simple rectangular shape. It features a sloped roof and large chimneys on each side. Law Castle looks similar to other tower houses nearby. These include Little Cumbrae Castle and Skelmorlie Castle. It is recognized as a very important historic site, known as a Category A listed building.
History of Law Castle
Law Castle was built for Princess Mary. She was the sister of King James III. The castle was a special wedding gift for her marriage in 1467. She married Thomas Boyd, Earl of Arran.
In 1469, Thomas Boyd traveled to Denmark. He went to bring King James III's future wife, Margaret of Denmark, to Scotland. However, Thomas and his father, Lord Boyd, faced serious accusations. They were declared enemies of the king in 1469. Because of this, Thomas had to stay abroad. His marriage to Princess Mary was then canceled. Thomas passed away a few years later, possibly in Antwerp.
Restoring the Castle
By the late 1800s, Law Castle had lost its roof. However, its main structure was still standing. In the late 1980s, a person named Mr. Philips bought the castle. He started working to restore it.
In 2002, the castle was taken back before the work was finished. This happened because of financial issues. Later, Historic Scotland worked to get back money they had given for the restoration. David Hutton then bought the castle. He completed the restoration in 2005, bringing the castle back to life.
