Listing Type: Castle

Dean Castle, Kilmarnock

The home and stronghold of the Boyd Family for over 400 years recently restored and reopened. William Boyd, the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock, was one of the last men to be hanged on Tower Hill for the part he played at the Battle of Culloden. The Keep houses displays that tell the story of the Boyd family and medieval life as well as East Ayrshire’s outstanding collections of arms and armour.

Access

Free entry. Park and grounds open all year. Check castle opening times on website.

Website

https://www.deancastlecountrypark.com/dean-castle/

Contact

Tel: 01563 554734
email: rangers@eastayrshireleisure.com

Area of interest
1745

Inveraray Castle, Argyll

The foundation stone for the new Inveraray Castle was laid in 1746 and dedicated to the Duke of Cumberland, illustrating the loyalty of the dukes of Argyll to the Hanoverian monarchy. Inside there are portraits of the dukes who led the Argyll militia into battle, the Culloden drum carried by the 43rd Argyll Militia and a display of flintlock muskets and bayonets from the battle of Culloden or gathered afterwards. The archives contain correspondence, accounts and receipts for military engagements throughout this period and also relating to management of estates forfeited after the 1715.

Access

Car parking. Regular bus service from Glasgow city centre. Admission charge. Opening hours (2023) 30 March - 30 September, Thursday - Monday 10:00 - 17:00; October, Thursday - Monday 10:00 - 16:00. Note that tours of and research visits to the archive must be arranged in advance, please see https://www.inveraray-castle.com/estate/argyll-papers and contact archives@inveraray-castle.com

Website

https://www.inveraray-castle.com

Contact

Tel: +44 (0)1499 302203
Enquiries via online form

Thirlestane Castle, nr Lauder

A much altered sixteenth century tower house lies sits at the core of this large mansion. Prince Charles Edward lodged here on 3 November 1745 in what is now the north room behind the billiard room - now called Prince Charlie's room.

Access

Castle open May - September please check for opening hours. Admission charge.

Website

https://thirlestanecastle.co.uk/

Contact

email: enquiries@thirlestanecastle.co.uk

phone: +44(0) 1578 722430

Kildrummy Castle

This large thirteenth century castle passed to the Erskine earls of Mar in 1626. They remained loyal to the catholic King James VII and II following his exile in 1688, and eventually became well-known Jacobites. In 1689 the castle was burned down by local Jacobites to prevent it being used by Government troops during the Jacobite rising of that year. In 1715, John Erskine returned to Kildrummy to begin a rising in support of James VII’s son, Prince James Francis Edward Stuart, ‘the Old Pretender’. When it failed, the earl went into exile, and Kildrummy remained a ruin. It is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Access

Seasonal opening hours (please check). Admission charge (free to HS members).

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/kildrummy-castle/overview/

Contact

telephone: 01975 571 331

Area of interest
1689 1715

Dumbarton Castle

An ancient and important site on the River Clyde. The base of the rock is protected by eighteenth century walls and batteries and housed a government garrison. After the '45 Jacobite prisoners were kept here including the notable James Campbell of Auchinbreck (one of the 'Seven Men of Moidart') and Aeneas MacDonald. Now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Access

Opening hours (please check). Admission charge (free to HS members).

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dumbarton-castle/overview/

Contact

telephone: 01389 733 438

Area of interest
1745

Castle Fraser

Built in the fifteenth century with later additions it is one of the largest tower houses in Scotland. Clan Fraser were (generally!) Jacobite supporters and included the famous Simon 'the Fox' Fraser, Lord Lovat. Some of his letters are on display in the castle.

Access

Seasonal opening, please check. Admission charge (free to NTS members).

Website

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/castle-fraser/

Contact

email: castlefraser@nts.org.uk
telephone: 01330833463

Area of interest
1715 1719 1745

Saint-Georges-sur-Loire – Castle of Serrant

Located in Anjou, 50 miles east of Nantes, the Castle of Serrant was the residence acquired by the Walsh family in 1748 after the failure of the last Jacobite rebellion. Antoine Walsh was a fervent Jacobite who provided Prince Charles Edward Stuart with a ship bound for Scotland, the Du Teillay on 3 July 1745 (N.S.) and helped to procure weapons, ammunition and supplies for his quest. Antoine Walsh himself accompanied the Prince to Scotland, his ship laying anchor in Loch Nan Uamh on 25 July 1745 (O.S.). On 7 August 1745 (O.S.), the Prince handed over several letters to Antoine Walsh before the departure of the Du Teillay on 8 August. After Prince Charles Edward Stuart was rescued and brought back to Brittany in October 1746, the Walsh family commissioned a large painting in 1755 portraying Antoine Walsh receiving those very letters from the Prince on the shore of Borrodale in Loch Nan Uamh, in the Moidart area of Lochaber, in the Scottish Highlands. The painting was commissioned to commemorate Antoine Walsh’s unflinching support to Prince Charles Eduard Stuart. The Walsh family had the painting especially framed with the arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland as a tribute to the Stuart dynasty. The large painting, which has been registered with the French Monuments Historiques since 2019 can still be seen today above the fireplace of the magnificent library of the Castle of Serrant.

Access

Opening hours for guided tours. Request the library as a supplement to the guided tour to admire the painting of Prince Charles Stuart and Antoine Walsh.

Website

https://www.chateau-serrant.net

Contact

https://www.chateau-serrant.net/en/contact-chateau-de-serrant. Tel: 00 33 (0)2 41 39 13 01

Huntingtower Castle, nr Perth

A unique 15th century double tower house originally built by the Ruthven family but owned by the Murrays of Tullibardine since the early 1600s. Birthplace of Lord George Murray (1694 - 1760) the Jacobite general who took part in the 1715,1719 and 1745 Risings. Now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Access

Opening hours. Admission charge. Free to HS members. Very limited parking.

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/huntingtower-castle/overview/

Contact

tel: 01738 627 231

email: customer@hes.scot

Area of interest
1715 1719 1745

Drum Castle

The 13th century tower of Drum was extended in the 17th century when it was the home of the Irvine family. Alexander Irvine, 17th Laird of Drum, joined the Jacobites just after Prestonpans and travelled with the army into England. He also fought at Falkirk and Culloden, and evaded capture by Government troops by hiding in a secret room in the tower. The house is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland

Access

Opening hours. Admission charge (free to NTS members).

Website

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/drum-castle

Contact

Tel: 01330 700334
Email: drumcastle@nts.org.uk

Area of interest
1745