Dunure and Castle

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Dunure and Dunure Castle are 7 miles south of Ayr, next to the scenic A719 coastal road.

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The Village is popular for its Kennedy Park grasslands and Kids Play area, Shingle Beach and Rocks for exploring, Coastal Walks, Hill Walk, the Dunure Inn and a Cafe overlooking the Harbour for drinks and meals, and the historic Castle.

Dunure Castle is situated in Kennedy Park, perched on rocks high above the sea. The Castle was built in the 1200s for the Kennedy’s (later Earls of Cassillis).

Dunure was one of the first seats of this family that became the largest landowners in South Ayrshire. Gilbert Kennedy, 4th Earl of Cassillis, imprisoned the Commendator of Crossraguel Abbey at Dunure Castle, then roasted him alive to force him into signing over Abbey lands to him.

This set of a murderous feud with relations and friends of the Commendator, that led to the death of at least 5 men.

The Kennedy's larger castle of Culzean is 7 miles south, see the Culzean Castle page for more history and other Kennedy castles. See also the page for the Clan Kennedy for more information.

On the east side of Dunure is the Carrick Hills, a popular walk from the Village for great views over Ayr.

The highest hill is Brown Carrick at 941ft, with great views west over the Islands and Ireland, north to Ayr, Prestwick, Troon and Irvine, and east to 2,520ft Shalloch on Minnoch, highest mountain in Ayrshire.

There is a popular Coastal Walk between Ayr and Dunure passing Greenan Castle and the Heads of Ayr Cliffs. Regular buses run between Ayr and Dunure should you want to walk one way.

Two miles south of Dunure is Croy Brae, also known as the Electric Brae. This section of road looks as if it is going downhill, but is actually going uphill.

Explanation is, it is an optical elusion created by the the way the hills run down towards the sea.

Many people, on what looks like going up hill, put their car out of gear so it can run without power. This has to be seen to be believed.

The seaside town of Maidens is 8 miles south, Tunberry Golf Resort 9 miles south, and the seaside town of Girvan 15 miles south.

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