Mauchline Castle

[3] Before 1177 the monks of Melrose Abbey held lands in Ayrshire, approximately represented by the extent of Mauchline parish.

The arms of Abbot Andrew Hunter (c.1444-71) on a boss in the vaulting of the first-floor hall give the earliest dating of the Castle.

[1] During the following two centuries, houses were built next to the castle, and in the 18th century Gavin Hamilton, lawyer and friend of Robert Burns, lived here as a tenant of Lord Loudoun[2] Burns is said to have written the parody sermon The Calf, and to have married Jean Armour, in the castle.

[5] The tower is built of red ashlar, and measures 10 by 9 metres (33 by 30 ft), with the walls being 5 feet (1.5 m) thick.

[2][1] The entrance is to the south, at ground level, with a statue niche above and a turnpike stair to its left.