Gadgirth Castle
House (19th Century), Tower House (Medieval)
Site Name Gadgirth Castle
Classification House (19th Century), Tower House (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Gadgirth House
Canmore ID 42754
Site Number NS42SW 1
NGR NS 40871 22292
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/42754
- Council South Ayrshire
- Parish Coylton (South Ayrshire)
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Kyle And Carrick
- Former County Ayrshire
NS42SW 1 4086 2229.
(NS 4086 2229) Gadgirth on site of (NAT)
Gadgirth Castle (NR)
OS 6" map (1966)
Gadgirth House was built in 1808, on the site of Gadgirth Castle (demolished 1808), itself a successor to the Old Ha' (NS42SW 3). It was the family seat of Chalmers, an active Reformer, and othe mansion is mentioned in the 16th century as a place where John Knox held a service. Mary, Queen of Scots is supposed to have spent a night here. It is also noted in the Charters of the Friar Preachers of Ayr in 1500 (Chalmerses and Burnetts of Godgirth (offprint)).
NSA 1845 (A Duncan)
A modern house, now a Children's Home occupies the site of the old mansion, of which no traces can be seen.
Visited by OS (JLD) 13 May 1954
The house which occupied the site 84) has been demolished and the area has been completely cleared. No further information.
Visited by OS (MJF) 21 October 1980
NMRS REFERENCE:
Architect: Allan Stevenson. 1908. Drains
Plans: at Darley Hay Partnership, Ayr.
Field Visit (April 1985)
Gadgirth Castle NS 4086 2229 NS42SW 1
There are no visible remains of Gadgirth Castle, possibly a tower-house, which probably occupied the site of Gadgirth House (built in 1808 and demolished in 1968). Gadgirth Castle is said to have succeeded the Old Ha' (NS42SW 3) and is on record in the 16th century and was the family seat of Chalmers.
RCAHMS 1985, visited April 1985.
(NSA, v, Ayr, 656; Paterson 1863-6, i, 228-9; Strawhorn 1959, 294; Davis 1984, 17).
