In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Eglinton was one of Scotland's wealthiest estates.
The origins of Eglinton Castle date back to the 16th century. That said, excavations have unearthed pottery by a sizeable earth motte near Bogside, which is thought to date back to the 13th century.
The first known structure on the site was a simple defensive tower designed to safeguard its inhabitants from the frequent skirmishes and conflicts of the time. The Earl of Glencairn destroyed the tower by burning it in 1528.
In 1796, the 12th Earl Montgomerie commissioned Edinburgh architect John Paterson, who had been a pupil of Robert Adam, to build him a sizeable Georgian mansion. The property, built on the tower's site, became one of the most significant post-Adam Georgian castles in Ayrshire, second only to Culzean Castle. It once boasted 1400 acres of land and ten miles of roads. It is believed there were 365 windows, one for every day of the year! It was completed in 1802.
The Montgomerie family played a significant role in Scottish history, extending their influence across various spheres, including politics, military, and culture. Over the centuries, the Montgomerie family continued to enhance and enlarge the property, transforming it into a magnificent stately home.
Eglinton Castle was a masterpiece of architectural design, highlighting elements from different historical periods. Gothic, Renaissance and Victorian styles blended to create the house's unique character. Intricate woodwork, decorative plaster ceilings, and fine paintings decorated the grand entrance hall, ornate drawing rooms, and stately dining rooms. The house's exterior was equally impressive, with its turrets, battlements, and expansive gardens.
The 13th Earl, Archibald Montgomerie, added a racquet court around 1840, the first in the world and, indeed, the oldest surviving court in the world. He also started the first racquet club at 285 Bath Street, Glasgow. Some refurbishment was done, but a significant part of the original building remains. The original granite slabs are in situ under timber flooring.
The gardens and grounds of Eglinton Castle were an integral part of its charm and appeal. The gardens, spread over several acres, featured a variety of plants, trees, and flowers, meticulously landscaped. The grounds also included ornamental lakes, fountains, and picturesque pathways, offering a tranquil environment. The walled garden and the conservatory were particularly notable, displaying the horticultural expertise and creativity of the estate’s gardeners.
The Eglinton Tournament
One of the most notable events in the history of Eglinton Castle was the Eglinton Tournament of 1839. Archibald organised this medieval-style tournament, a grand spectacle planned to revive chivalric and mediaeval traditions. The event attracted thousands of spectators, including Prince Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte. It featured jousting, banquets, and elaborate pageants, making it one of the most memorable social events of the 19th century in Ayrshire.
Like many historic estates, Eglinton faced periods of decline, particularly during the 20th century. The economic challenges of the time, coupled with changing social dynamics, reduced the estate’s grandeur. Parts of the house fell into disrepair, and the once-thriving gardens began to wane as death duties and the cost of upkeep took their toll. After the valuable contents, including a chair built from oak wood taken from Alloway Kirk, were auctioned off in 1925, they de-roofed the house. The back of the unique chair had a brass plaque engraved with Tam-o'-shanter by Robert Burns.
The ‘Fauna, Flora and Geology of the Clyde Area’ shows that in 1901, the Eglinton estate had one of the most notable tree collections in southern Scotland (see below *). However, in 1925, the new owners, timber merchants Neill of Prestwick and Howie of Dunlop chopped down trees. In the late 1940s, people cut down more trees for lumber.
Sadly, army demolition training exercises during WW2 seriously damaged what remained of the castle and estate, including part of the Tournament bridge.
In 1950, Robert Clement Wilson purchased the castle estate and ruins from Robert Howie and Sons.
Robert built a food processing and meat canning factory in the stable block and opened part of the grounds to the public. He spent approximately £400,000 (about five million pounds in today’s money) making improvements, securing the castle ruins, landscaping, and planting trees. He also restored the Tournament bridge.
The factory was closed after the bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE, crisis in 1996.
The ruins were modified and made safe in the early 1970s. By 1981, Irvine Development Corporation had commenced redevelopment work.
The establishment of Eglinton Country Park in 1986 opened 988 acres of land free to the public, making the conservationists' and historians' work to preserve its legacy more than worthwhile!
The Country Park stands as a symbol of historical resilience and architectural splendour. The restoration efforts have brought new life to the estate, making it a popular destination for visitors and history enthusiasts.
As you can see from the photographs taken while on walks around the park, one major enthusiast, although not of history, is my dog Layla. Eglinton is one of her favourite places to run, explore, and swim. The park is truly a gem in Ayrshire's crown.
Jacqueline Heron Wray 2025
References.
*‘The significant trees were:- Holly (6' 10'' girth); Sycamore (13' 2'' girth – Deer Park); Field Maple (6' 5'' girth); Horse Chestnut (11' 4'' girth); Gean (girth 11' girth – Bullock Park); Hawthorn (8' 3'' girth); Fraxinus heterophylla (4' 6'' girth – Lady Jane's Cottage); Elm (12' 7'' girth – castle); Hornbeam (14' girth – between Castle & Mains); Holly Oak (5' 2'' girth – gardens); Sweet Chestnut (16' girth – Bullock Park); Beech (18' 3'' girth – Old Wood); Cut-leaved Beech (8' 11'' girth); Larch (8' 9'' girth); Cedar of Lebanon (9' 11'' girth – Bullock Park); Scots Pine (11' girth – between Castle and Mains)’
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