It's very sad to see this ruin when you've looked at the old photos and paintings from its days of grandeur. It was originally a fabulous and immense castellated Gothic mansion, built in sandstone for the Earl of Eglinton and his family between 1797 and 1802.
It included a central 100 ft high round keep and four 70 ft towers; it really was very grand and was surrounded by a moat. However, the castle gradually fell into disrepair and the family was unable to finance any renovations. They deserted their home in 1925 and all the contents were sadly all auctioned, including many (priceless and irreplaceable) historical artifacts, and then the roof was removed a year later and even the lead sold. During World War II the castle was greatly damaged during army training there another appalling sacrilege.
When it was decided to open the country park to the public in the 1970s, even more of the castle was demolished as it was considered unsafe. Only a small part of the walls and one tower has survived to this day.
I give only four stars, not because so little of the castle remains, but because there is no information about it at the site. When you visit the castle there isn't even one sign giving the history (unless, somehow, I missed it!), only a general overview at the Visitor Centre itself, and I really think much more could be made of this fascinating old ruin that was once the very impressive seat of the Eglinton family. read more