Turnberry Castle facts for kids
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| Turnberry Lighthouse | |
 Turnberry Lighthouse
Location in Scotland
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| Location | Kirkoswald Ayrshire Scotland United Kingdom |
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| Coordinates | 55°19′33″N 4°50′40″W / 55.325934°N 4.844536°W |
| Year first constructed | 1873 |
| Automated | 1986 |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, black lantern, ochre trim |
| Height | 24 metres (79 ft) |
| Focal height | 29 metres (95 ft) |
| Range | 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 15s. |
| Admiralty number | A4580 |
| NGA number | 4772 |
| ARLHS number | SCO-248 |
Turnberry Castle is an ancient castle ruin located on the coast of Kirkoswald in Scotland. It sits near Maybole in Ayrshire. This historic castle was once the home of the Earls of Carrick. Today, it is found right next to the famous Turnberry Golf Course.
Turnberry Castle is especially famous because of its strong connection to Robert the Bruce. He was one of Scotland's most important kings. He spent his childhood here, and the castle played a role in his fight for Scottish independence.
Contents
What is the History of Turnberry Castle?
The exact beginning of Turnberry Castle is a bit of a mystery. No one knows for sure when or by whom it was first built. It was originally a strong fort for the Lords of Galloway. Later, around the early 1200s, it became the property of the Earls of Carrick.
Who Owned Turnberry Castle?
In the late 1200s, the castle belonged to Marjorie, who was the Countess of Carrick. A medieval story says that Marjorie held a visiting knight, Robert de Brus, captive. She would not let him go until he agreed to marry her!
They married in 1271. This marriage meant that Robert de Brus became the owner of the castle and the Earldom. Their first son was also named Robert. He grew up to become "Robert the Bruce," the King of Scots. While we don't know if he was born at Turnberry, it is certain he spent his early years living in the castle.
How Did Turnberry Castle Help Robert the Bruce?
Turnberry Castle is linked to two big historical moments involving Robert the Bruce. On September 20, 1286, several Scottish nobles met secretly at the castle. They supported Robert's claim to the Scottish throne. Robert was only 12 years old at this time.
The second event happened in the spring of 1307. Robert tried to take back the castle from the English army, who were occupying it. He was only partly successful at first. However, this attempt eventually led to the English soldiers leaving. His fight to reclaim the castle was the start of a long journey. This journey ended with Robert's great victory at the Battle of Bannockburn.
Robert the Bruce himself ordered the castle to be destroyed in 1310. He did this to stop the English from ever using it against Scotland again. The castle was almost completely ruined. The parts that remain today are from the original castle. It was never rebuilt after that.
What Does Turnberry Castle Look Like Today?
Not much is left of the old castle buildings now. The sea surrounds Turnberry Castle on three sides. The land side is now part of a golf resort. Centuries of bad weather and sea erosion have damaged the ruins. Only its lower vaults and cellars are still mostly intact.
You can still see some small parts of a drawbridge. There are also signs of an old portcullis, which was a heavy gate. From the size of the rocky area, the castle must have been very large and strong. There are also caves that lead out to the sea. These might have been used by the castle as a secret harbor. A lighthouse was built on part of the castle's site in 1873. This lighthouse is still standing and working today.
