Hunterston Castle

Hunterston Castle stands beside the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire. The keep is a 12th- or 13th-century tower, and an 18th-century manor house is attached. The estate was granted by David I of Scotland in the 12th century and has belonged to the chiefs of Clan Hunter ever since. The family once held the hereditary title of Royal Huntsman. Much of the land was taken for nuclear power stations in the 20th century. The castle is a Category A listed building. The tower shows the Norman origins of the Hunter family. In the 18th century a house was added for extra space. By the 19th century this proved too small and a Neoclassical mansion was built nearby. Robert Lorimer carried out a major restoration in 1926. The castle remains in private hands and is not open regularly. Visitors can still see the castle from a public footpath and a cycle route. The exterior walls rise above the surrounding fields. The nearby power stations are visible but do not detract from the historic setting. The castle’s Category A listing recognises its importance. The landscape around the Firth of Clyde adds to the scene.