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The Bruce’s are
thought to have originated
from Normandy near
Cherbourg. They gained
lands at Annan (Southern
Scotland) for their support
of Scottish Kings, and
later, in northern England
during the peaceful
years.
Robert, the 4th Lord of
Annandale, married into the
royal house of William the
Lion, King of Scotland 1165
- 1214. That marriage gave
the Bruce’s claim to
the throne in years to
come. Their main castle at
that time was Lochmaben Castle
in south Scotland by
Dumfries.
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The 6th Robert, Lord of
Annandale, married the
widow Marjorie, with which
he acquired the title Earl
of Carrick (south of
Ayr in
Ayrshire) and gained
castles at Loch Doon and
Turnberry. Having lands in
Northern England and
Southern Scotland, he often
chose to fight for the
English in battles against
Scotland.
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His eldest son Robert,
7th Lord of Annandale and
Earl of Carrick, was born
in 1274 at Turnberry Castle
(Southwest Ayrshire). Known
as Robert the Bruce, he led
a Scottish army to victory
over the English at
Bannockburn
(Stirlingshire) in 1314.
After a further 14 years of
war, the treaty of
Edinburgh was signed March
17th 1328, this allowing
Bruce to become king of an
independent Scotland.
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Bruce died in 1329 at
Cardross, probably from
leprosy. He was buried in
Dunfermline after the
removal of his heart so it
could be carried on a
crusade by Sir James
Douglas. The return of his
heart from the crusade saw
it buried at Melrose
Abbey.
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The Bruce line died out
after Robert the
Bruce’s son David II
died in 1371 without
leaving an heir. He was
succeeded to the Scottish
throne by Robert the
Bruce’s grandson
through the female line
Robert II (Stuart).
Dundonald Castle four miles
east of Troon in Ayrshire
was built for Robert II on
his ascension to the
throne.
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The ruin of Loch Doon
Castle was transferred from
an island in the middle of
the loch to the southeast
bank in the early 1900s, as
a dam was built that raised
the water levels. The ruin
now attracts many
visitors.Loch Doon
Castle Page.
Little remains of
Turnberry Castle 12 miles
south of Ayr. There is a
lighthouse built on that
spot with the world famous
Turnberry golf course and
hotel adjacent. Turnberry
Castle Page.
The ruin of Dundonald Castle
attracts many visitors with
guided tours available.
There is a visitor centre
and car park at the
castle.
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