Kyle Castle
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| Kyle Castle | |
|---|---|
| Dalblair, Muirkirk, East Ayrshire, Scotland UK grid reference NS64741920 | |
 Remnants of the castle's keep from the courtyard area | |
| Site information | |
| Type | A tower castle with a courtyard |
| Owner | Marquis of Bute |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Ruined and extensively robbed |
| Location | |
  Kyle Castle Kyle Castle | |
| Coordinates | 55°26′53″N 4°08′24″W / 55.447921°N 4.1400316°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 15th century |
| Built by | Farquhar of Gilmilnscroft |
| In use | 15th to early 18th century |
| Materials | Stone |
The ruins of the large courtyard style Kyle Castle, once also known as Cavil Castle[1] or occasionally Dalblair Castle lie close to the hamlet of Dalblair in Auchinleck parish near Muirkirk in the East Ayrshire council area, Scotland. The castle stands at the confluence of the Guelt Water and the Glenmuir Water on a peninsula carved out by these rivers. Its name suggests that it was once of some significance.[2]
A drawing of the castle when still intact was apparently kept at “the church at Coylton." The sketch is said to have depicted a four-storied Scottish Tower House with four rooms connected by a staircase.[3]
Significantly the castle or fortalice stands at the boundary of the old lands of Kyle Regis and Kyle Stewart, marked by the confluence of the two rivers that join to form the Glenmuir Water. Nearby on the lands of Kyle Stewart stands the large Dornal Motte, a fortification that is recorded as 'Danhell' on Timothy Pont's 16th century map.[4]
The first written record in 1445 shows that Kyle Castle and its lands were previously held by the monks of Melrose Abbey before the Farquhars of Gilmilnscroft obtained possession,[5] John Farquhar having been granted them in a charter granted by a Commendator of Melrose Abbey.[1] The Farquhars obtained further charters to lands from the abbot of Melrose, eventually including the lands of Gilmilnscroft itself.[6] Margaret, a daughter of the Laird of Barquharrie, was the wife of John Farquhar.[1] The Cunninghams at some later stage gained possession, followed by the Stewarts of Bute.[7]
Very little written or verbal history survives regarding Kyle Castle except however for inevitable links with 'Old King Cole or Coilus' that have been regularly suggested.[8] The castle's stone has been heavily robbed for use in building dry stone dykes and domestic buildings at Dalblair and Kyle Farms. The preservation of a small section of the castle may relate to the need for readily identifiable landmarks in this remote and relatively featureless landscape.
Evidence from maps indicated that the castle was abandoned and in ruins towards the last quarter of the 18th century.[9][10]
