History of Cloncaird Castle

Cloncaird Castle, which stands on a precipitous slope alongside the Kelsie Burn, was built around a 16th century core in 1814 for Henry Ritchie Craiton and Busbie. Ritchie was succeeded by his second son William Wallace in 1843 and it remained in the Wallace family until sold in 1905 to Mrs Dubs, the widow of an industrialist. Colonel Wallace, who had sold the castle to Mrs Dubs, went on to marry her in 1908, reinstating himself as a result.
Most of the interior remodelling of the castle is thought to date from the renovations by Mrs Dubs around this time. This included the introduction of fine plasterwork, one plaque of which is signed by W. Hubert Paton. On Mrs Dubs death in 1947 the castle became a convalescent home ran by the local authority. It was returned to private use in the later 20th century.

The Raid on Barbieston
by Hugh Maxwell

"The horsemen had gathered in the echoing courtyard of grey Cloncaird Castle near Kirkmichael in Ayrshire as darkness was falling on a September night in 1530.

 

There were more than 60 armed men there, representing the most powerful family in Carrick - the Kennedys. They had come from Blairquhan, Bargany, Cassillis and Guiltree. Their castles sat upon the rising grounds of the wooded vale of Stinchar, they graced the haughs of the Girvan and their walks were washed by the murmuring Doon.

 

The prospect of a raid against their hated ancient enemies the Crawfords of Kyle, in the neighbouring district, was an opportunity not to be missed.

 

The River Doon neatly separated the lands of the two feuding clans and raids across it were a frequent occurrence with rival groups splashing across from one side of the picturesque river to the other to save livestock. With these raids followed many a bloody skirmish in which men often lost their lives or were wounded; therefore, revenge and retaliation were frequently foremost in the clansmen's thoughts.

 

Patrick Mure, the Laird of Cloncaird was the instigator of this particular "reive". He was related through marriage to the all powerful Kennedys and had summoned them from all the houses and castles of their Cairn. There were many willing participants eager to share in the excitement of this daring, night-time adventure.

 

As the moon rose slowly in the starlit sky behind the silhouetted, menacing, black limbs of nearby trees, the horsemen trotted out from the castle. The clatter of hooves was a familiar sound to the villagers tucked up in their beds, listening to the armed band passing through over the cobbled lanes......"