Castle Kennedy is a ruinous 17th century E-plan tower house set among spectacular gardens and originally built on an island in a loch. It consists of a main four storey block with an attic, with two projecting wings of five storeys and two square towers of seven storeys. Three-storey wings were added at a later date. In all, a massive defensive tower house.

The castle is now a popular tourist attraction with all the amenities and ease of access you would expect.

A lovely day out, well worth the visit.

~ History ~

1482 ~ Sir John Kennedy is appointed steward of the "manor of Loch Inch". This fortified manor is located on one of the islands of the lake, called Inch Crindil.

1605 ~ A royal charter records "novum castrum of Inche",  new castle of Inch.

1607 ~ The castle is completely demolished. In its place, on the initiative of Sir John Kennedy, 5th Earl of Cassillis, a new and massive tower is built. John Anderson is the architect and main contractor of this building, with a fee of 577 pounds, 18 shillings and 4 Scottish pence.
Over time, the level in Loch Inch drops significantly, which subsequently results in its separation into two independent lakes, the white and black Loch's. At the same time, the castle island, once located in the very center of the original lake, turns into a long isthmus.

1650 ~ The entire estate of Lochinch becomes the property of the Hamiltons of Bargany.

1674 ~ Lochinch it is bought, together with Kennedy Castle, by Sir James Dalrymple, 1st Viscount Stair. Sir James is an outstanding lawyer, the author of many scientific publications and the creator of the foundations of Scottish law.

He also serves as the president of the Supreme Court.

1695 ~ Sir James dies in Edinburgh. His son, John Dalrymple, 2nd Viscount Stair, plays a key role in preparing the provisions of the Treaty of Union between England and Scotland. He is equally active in the issue of placing William II on the British throne.

1689 ~ As a reward for his loyalty to the Crown, King William appoints Sir James to the honorable position of Lord Advocate.

1691 ~ Together with James Johnstone, Sir James also serves as Secretary of State for Scotland.

1692 ~ As a prominent representative of the Hanoverian government, Sir James is publicly accused of responsibility for the The Glencoe massacres against Clan MacDonald.  However, thanks to the King's personal intercession, Sir James avoids a more severe punishment than "being deprived of his position as Secretary of State."

1700 ~ Sir James returns to "high politics" as a member of the King's Council in Scotland.

1702 ~ Sir James serves as Commissioner for the Union with England.

1703 ~ Queen Anne creates Sir James 1st Earl of Stair.

1707 ~ Sir James Dalrymple dies on January 8th .A few months later, on May 1st , the Treaty of the Anglo-Scottish Union, prepared largely by him, which is also the founding act of Great Britain, becomes legally binding.

His eldest son and main heir Sir John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair, is a distinguished military man and diplomat, who had taken part in the Wars of the Spanish and Austrian Successions.

After a tragic accident during which he accidentally shoots his older brother James, John is sent to the Netherlands, where he studies at the University of Leiden. He later undertakes as ambassadorial mission to the Polish King Augustus the Strong.

1715 ~ Sir John plays a leading role for the British Government against the Jacobite uprising. He also serves as the British ambassador to France.

1716 ~ Sir John's favourite residence, the Kennedy Tower, is almost completely destroyed during a fire.

The Dowager Countess Elizabeth Dundas sends a letter to the personal agent of her son Sir John, that 'Last Saturday, Kennedy Castle burned down. However, I do not have the detailed knowledge about the event. All that is known is that the maid lit a fire in the fireplace in the living room before going to bed. The fire broke out in the middle of the night, but its violence did not allow saving much of the castle's equipment. The servants managed to remove only a portrait of my son and two other paintings from the fire. I know he will be greatly concerned as Castle Kennedy is his favourite house in the area. However, we must all submit to God's providence and believe that all his actions are just. Then i want you to give this letter to my son and wait his orders".

Despite initial plans to rebuild the destroyed tower, no work is undertaken.

1730's ~ During his time away from duties of Government Sir John finds time to establish the beautiful gardens at Castle Kennedy, taking inspiration from the gardens of Versailles, during his time on diplomatic missions in France.

1745 ~ Sir John, now Field Marshal, plays a prominent role in the final Jacobite uprising for the British Government.

1747 ~ For several years after Sir John's death, the gardens he established at Lochinch are carefully tended. Then they too are completely forgotten.

1864 ~ The gardens are restored to their former glory on the initiative of Sir John Hamilton - Dalrymple, 10th Earl of Stair.

A new Lochinch Castle is built on a new site away from the old tower on the estate.

To this day, it remains the main seat of the Earls of Stair family.