Ravenstone Castle is an altered and extended 16th century tower house. It has been painstakingly and marvelously restored by its current owners Steve and Sue who I was fortunate enough to meet and be shown around. The gatehouse is the first part of the castle you come across and I was amazed to learn it was built by its previous eccentric owner Frank Andrew Renwick, the Baron of Ravenstone in the 1990's! He used stones from the ruins of the mansion to build the gatehouse in homage to Princess Diana. The tower itself is however historically authentic.

The current owners moved north to Scotland and purchased the derelict tower in 2001 and have spent decades restoring their fabulous home, doing much of the work themselves. Just as well the demolition permit of 1978 came to nothing and its new owner Steve was a skilled stone mason by trade, and his wife shared his passion for ensuring this grand old tower was restored faithfully. A stunning job this lovely couple have both achieved to their enormous credit.

The castle their private home and therefore any requests for permission to visit its grounds should be made in advance.

~ History ~

1560 ~ The land of Ravenstone belonging to the MacDowells passes to the MacLellans, who set about modifying an earlier castle.

1617 ~ Joanni Kennedy junior de Blairquhan and his wife Marie Stewart have "baroniam de Remistoun" & fortalicio and lands of Lochtoun alias Remistoun, also known as Ravenstone.

1662 ~ James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Galloway, has a charter in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, for various lands including the 8 merkland of Bordland of Ravinstoun, including the castle,

1685 ~ Robert Stewart of Ravenstone changes the castle's name to Castle Stewart.

1875 ~ The castle is extended to include a luxury masion.