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Dundonald
Castle is in the centre of
Dundonald village in Ayrshire, 4 miles
east of Troon with a small entrance
fee. Postcode: KA2 9HD
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Dundonald Castle was built for
Robert II
when he became King of Scotland in
1371.
Robert II was the first of the Stewart
Kings, as he was the son of Walter
Stewart and of Marjorie Bruce, daughter
of King Robert the Bruce.
Robert II was 55 years old when he
became King, building Dundonald Castle as
his home, with his son Robert ruling much
of Scotland for him.
Dundonald Castle History
Iron Age 500 BC - this site at
Dundonald is thought to have had a number
of round houses surrounded by an earth
rampart topped with a wooden
palisade.
700s - the Kingdom of Strathclyde was
formed, controlling the area between the
River Clyde and parts of Cumbria in
northern England. Dundonald Castle was
rebuilt at this time with ports in this
area trading with northern England.
1000s - the buildings at Dundonald
were destroyed during wars with
England.
1050? - the Kings of Scots gained
control over Strathclyde, a time all the
Kingdoms of Scotland were being merged
under one King.
1136 - Dundonald was granted to Walter
FitzAlan, one of many French Normans
moving into Scotland to help combat the
Vikings. A new Timber Fort was built on
the site at that time.
1164 - Walter FitzAlan led the forces
that defeated and killed Somerled,
Viking King of the Isles.
1200s early - Dundonald Castle was
built of Stone.
1296 - the first War of Scottish
Independence broke out with Dundonald
Castle soon destroyed, thought to have
been by the Scots to prevent English from
using it.
1371 - Robert II became King of
Scotland, having Dundonald Castle rebuilt
to serve as his home.
Robert's son and heir was from his
first wife Elizabeth Mure, with the
Mure's being prominent land owners in
Ayrshire. See Clan Mure.
1400s - Dundonald Castle was let to
the Wallace family of Craigie.
1500s late - the Wallace's built
Auchan’s
Castle / Mansion House about 1 mile
west of Dundonald Castle. This impressive
building is now in ruin.
Wallace was a prominent Clan in
Ayrshire. See Clan
Wallace.
1536 - King James V granted Dundonald
Castle to Robert Boyd, although the
Wallace's refused to hand the Castle
over.
The Boyd's had a number of Castles in
Ayrshire, with them being connected to
the Royals through marriage. See Clan
Boyd.
1632 - Dundonald Castle was sold to
James Mathieson.
1638 - Dundonald Castle was sold to
Sir William Cochrane.
1686 - Sir William Cochrane became the
Earl of Dundonald for his support of the
Royalists.
1953 - Cochrane's handed Dundonald
Castle over to the State to be run as a
Tourist Attraction.
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