Ayr Castle was a castle situated at Ayr in Scotland. Once considered a royal castle, nothing remains of it above ground.[1]

Ayr Castle
Ayr, Scotland
Ayr Castle is located in Scotland
Ayr Castle
Ayr Castle
Coordinates55°27′54″N 4°38′08″W / 55.4650°N 4.6355°W / 55.4650; -4.6355
Grid referencegrid reference NS33482218
TypeTower
Site information
Open to
the public
Private
ConditionDemolished
Site history
Built1197
In useUntil 16th or 17th century
MaterialsStone

History

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In 1197, the castle was built by King William the Lion of Scotland, who later in 1205 created a burgh at Ayr.[1] The castle was captured by the Norwegian King Håkon Håkonsson and a substantial Norwegian army in 1263 which led to the Battle of Largs after which it returned to Scottish control.[2] Robert the Bruce burned the castle in August 1298 in order to keep it out of the hands of the English.[3] The castle in 1542 was garrisoned by French troops and appears to have been demolished before the Cromwellian occupation between 1650–1651.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ayr Castle". CANMORE. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
  2. ^ Sweet, Andy. "Ayr Castle". Stravaiging Around Scotland.
  3. ^ Barrow, Geoffrey W.S. (1988). Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland. Edinburgh University Press. p. 103.
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