Archaeology Notes

Event ID 698458

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/698458

NS20SW 16.00 24389 00245 to c.242 003.

NS20SW 16.01 24149 00050 Boathouse

NS20SW 16.02 24686 00305 (Centred on) Walled Garden

NS20SW 46 24376 00363 Duke's Bridge

The 'old castle of Bargany' is referred to by Abercrummie, writing in the late 17th century, as standing on low ground near the south bank of the Water of Girvan, in the midst of a forest. He described it as a lofty tower, in the centre of a quadrangular court, that had on each of three corners, well-built freestone towers, four storeys high. It provided the materials for the 'new' Bargany House (Bargany: NS 2438 0023) which stands on higher ground, S of the site of the old castle. This latter mansion is dated '1681' over its original front door, on the N. Three wings were added to it in the 19th century, greatly altering its character.

D MacGibbon and T Ross 1892; W Macfarlane 1907; Bargany guide leaflet, undated

There is no trace of Bargany Castle within the 18th/19th century landscaped grounds of the present house, although the guide to the house states that the castle is 'clearly marked on an early survey may to prove its existence on the river bank below the present house'. Capt Dalrymple-Hamilton (Lovestone, Old Dailly) has seen a Record Office plan (date unknown) showing the castle in area NS 242 003, but his 18th century estate map gives no reference to it. This location agrees with that given by Abercrummie, but the area is mainly level, low-lying ground under rough grassland and no structural remains have been found. Bargany stands unoccupied and deserted. It was under threat of demolition but no action has yet been taken.

Visited by OS (JRL) 18 May 1977