OS1/3/31/51
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAGATE CASTLE (In Ruins) | Seagate Castle (Ruins) . . Sea Gate Castle Seagate Castle Seagate Castle |
Revd [Reverend] Mr Drummond David Grey Town clerk Patrick Blair Banker Robertsons Topl [Topographical] Cunningham New Statistical Account Paterson's History of Ayr |
017 | This Ruin is the property of the Earl of Eglinton, part of the walls [of] the Western half are in good preservation, "it is supposed that this place was intended as the Jointure house for the Dowager Ladies of that family -- See Robertsons Topl [Topographical] Description of Cunninghame |
Continued entries/extra info
[page] 51County of Ayr -- Ph [Parish] Irvine
[Note] -- "The Seagate Castle" says Robertson in his
Topographical Account of Cunningham, "is a
ruinous fabric of Considerable antiquity. It belongs
to the Earl of Eglinton, and is supposed to have been
intended as the jointurehouse of the Dowager Ladies of that family. There is no date
upon it; but from the circumstance of the united arms of Montgomery & Eglinton being
engraved upon a central stone, in a vaulted chamber in the lower story, it must have been
built since the union of these two families by Marriage in 1361; and that it could not
be much later than that period, may be inferred from its structure as a house of defence, in
which are many arrow slits for bows, but no gunports for cannon or other firearms." "In
this Old Castle there remains still quite entire, one of the most perfect specimens of the Saxon or
Norman round Arch, that is perhaps now to be met with in Britain. It is erected over
the principal gateway into the house. A square tower, in one of the corners, is evidently
much more ancient than the rest of the building" * -- New Statistical Acct [Account] - Page 625
* "This is corroborative of one suggestion, that the Seagate Castle is the ancient castle of Irvine
alluded to by Hovenden" -- A note in Paterson's History - Vol. [volume] 2. Page 99
Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Moira L- Moderator, Margaret Cunningham
Location information for this page.
Linked mapsheets.
