The Castle and Lands of Auchruglen (NS5365436797) was a peel tower in the old district of Kyle held at different times by the Nesbitt and Campbell Clans and located near Newmilns, Parish of Galston, East Ayrshire, Scotland.

[6] James Paterson recorded that Archruglen was an old tower, the remains of which were still visible and well known in 1866, located on a steep eminence on the banks of the River Irvine.

[8] Gallow Law Cairn lies above the castle's location and it is said to have been the site of a barony court hangings in feudal times.

[9] A Gallow Hill Cairn in 1926 was built by local miners to the memory of the Covenanter James Smith of Threepwood, who died for civil and religious liberty in 1684.

[citation needed] In 1578 Mariota Nisbet and her mother were heir portioner who had in 1553 sold Auchinrugland to Hugh Campbell.

[11] A John Campbell of 'Newmilns' was taken with several 'Lollards of Kyle', mostly minor lairds, to trial as a Lollard, the earliest Scottish Protestants, and was executed.

[13][14] Paterson states that the Kennedys destroyed Auchruglen Castle[1] in revenge for the murder of the Earl of Cassilis at Prestwick in 1527 by Hugh Campbell of Loudoun and his followers.

[1] Many versions exist of the ballad of 'Adam of Gordon and his Men' regarding the 1571 burning of Towie Castle first published by Lord Hailes.

[17] The writer of the 1845 Statistical Account states that the old castle is supposed to have been destroyed by fire about 350 years before, making the event in around 1500.

Lady Campbell was standing in the close, A preenin o her goun, Whan Adam o Gordon and his men Cam riding thro Galston toun.

[19] A dwelling, rather than a castle, 'Auchruglen' is shown between Windyhill and Corsstree, later Crosstree on John Thomson's map of 1832[20] The location does not appear to match with the description of the tower as being on an eminence.

[23] Scotlands Places records Auchruglen was a Cottage, rather than a farm, occupied by a Hugh McInnes and in 1855-57 was the Property of Thomas Brown Esqr Lanfine.

[2] 1527 circa - The Kennedys are by tradition said to have destroyed Auchruglen Castle by burning[1] in revenge for the murder of the Earl of Cassilis at Prestwick.

[21] 1855-1857 - Auchruglen was a Cottage, rather than a farm, occupied by a Hugh McInnes and was the Property of Thomas Brown Esqr Lanfine.