Martnaham Loch

Martnaham Loch lies two kilometres from Coylton in South Ayrshire, where a freshwater kettle-hole loch stretches along a north-east to south-west axis. Three rivers feed its waters: the Sandhill Burn enters at the north-east end, the Whitehill Burn joins nearby, and an outflow from Snipe Loch brings water from Loch Fergus. The loch’s southern tip drains into the Sandhill Burn while its eastern shore holds a small islet and a promontory once cut off by water. On this promontory stand the ivy-clad ruins of Martnaham Castle, built on an artificial island reached by a stone causeway. The castle was inhabited until the 16th century and shows 16th- or 17th-century masonry up to two metres high. Its main block divides into three rooms with walls nearly a metre thick, and foundations of a smaller annexe lie to the north-east. A possible gatehouse once guarded the causeway approach, and the island itself appears to have been built up with forced earth. Local tradition links the site to Old King Cole and describes a siege in the 1650s. The Marquis of Ailsa still owns a shooting and fishing lodge on the western bank where pike and perch thrive, the latter introduced thirty years ago. Visitors find a loch up to nine metres deep in the east, shallow near the castle and along most margins. Mixed oak and birch woodland lines the south-western shore, while Martnaham Wood on the east is one of Ayrshire’s largest ancient oak woods. Reed-swamps fringe the water, dotted with water-lilies and invasive Canadian pondweed. Birdwatchers spot goldeneye, wigeon and pochard in winter, alongside rarities such as smew and black tern. The causeway and ruined castle remain clearly visible, and the surrounding fields often hold Canada geese and whooper swans.