A Brief History
A building has existed on this site since the dark ages but the structure that now stands is dated from between the 15th and 16th centuries. The lands were granted to the Kennedy family in 1357 a clan whose rapid ascent was marked by their tenacity and zeel in carrying out Royal skull-duggary. In 1509, David Kennedy was created 1st Earl of Cassillis and Dunure Castle was host to Mary Queen of Scots during her Royal Tour of West Scotland in 1563.
In 1429, the Kennedys played host to peace talks between the independantly-minded John Mor MacDonald and James Campbell, representative of King James I. The MacDonalds were at that time the largest clan in Scotland, and Donald strongholds stretched from the Outer Hebrides to the Moray Firth, making them the biggest threat to Scottish sovreignty. According to Kennedy, an argument turned violent, and John Mor MacDonald was killed. Many suspected that the MacDonald had been murdered as part of a plan to bring his rebellious clan into line. To distance himself from the death, King James I had the unfortunate James Campbell executed.
In 1565, Gilbert Kennedy, 4th Earl of Cassillis fraudulently laid claim to the lands of Glenluce by ordering a monk to forge the signatures on the land charter. After doing the Earl's bidding, the monk was murdered. The Earl then had the man who assassinated the Monk arrested and hung.
Only 5 years later, Gilbert once again claimed ownership to land near the Crossraguel Abbey. Alan Stewart, the keeper of the Abbey disputed the claim of the 4th Earl. Gilbert kidnapped Stewart and tortured him by roasting him alive on a spit over a fire. Alan Stewart gave in before death and signed the lands over to the Earl. Alan Stewart, although badly injured, was rescued by the Laird of Bargany who settled the issue of the Abbey lands. Alan Stewart survived to old age, despite his ordeal.
From 1500 onwards, Dunure became one of the lesser Kennedy stronghold. Land in Sranraer taken under a caretaking agreement in 1482 became the site for Castle Kennedy and by the 17th Century, Dunure became little more than a military outpost.
Over the centuries, Dunure Castle was quarried for stone, its huge blocks being seen in the foundations of surrounding farmhouses. The castle stands in ruins and may soon be veering seawards.
Visiting
The castle, standing on the cliffedge just outside the village of Dunure, is open to the public. Its condition is unstable, and given its location, great care must be taken in exploring the ruins. Better preserved is the castle dovecot that stands further back from the sea,close to the village.