Dean Castle Kilmarnock

Wee Guides to Scotland
Dean Castle, Kilmarnock

Goblinshead

130 Inveresk Rd
Musselburgh
EH21 7AY
SCOTLAND

Interesting and well preserved, Dean Castle consists of a 14th-century keep and a 15th-century palace block within a courtyard, all enclosed by a curtain wall. The lands were given to the Boyds by Robert the Bruce, and a castle here is said to have been besieged by the English during the Wars of Independence. Robert Boyd became Guardian of James III during his minority, and practically ruled Scotland from 1466-9. He later had to flee to Denmark, and his brother was executed for treason. William, 10th Lord Boyd, was created Earl of Kilmarnock in 1661. The 4th Earl was Privy Councillor to Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite Rising of 1745. He was a Colonel in the Prince's guard, but was captured after the Battle of Culloden in 1746 and executed by beheading, his lands and titles forfeited. In 1735 a fire had gutted the hall block, and most of the castle was abandoned. It was restored from 1905, and the castle now houses a museum, containing a collection of armour and musical instruments, and is surrounded by a public park.

Directions:	Off B7038, 1 mile NE of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.
Ownership:	Pri/LA	01563 574916	Ord. Survey Map Ref:	NS 437394 70
Open:	Open daily April to end October from 12.00-5.00pm; open end October to end March weekends only; closed Christmas and New Year.
Key:	P S R WC £	Click Here for explanation of Key and other abreviations

Fax:+44 (0) 131 653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk