Construction and other details Rowallan Castle

rowallan castle today



william aiton s map of 1811 showing rowellan (sic)

the castle built around small knoll , once stood in small loch or swampy area, fed carmel burn. southern front of castle erected year 1562 john mure of rowallan , lady, marion cuninghame, of family of cuninghamhead. information appears inscription on marriage stone or tablet @ top of wall: - jon.mvr. m.cvgm. spvsis 1562. family coat of arms lies right. crest of mure s moore s head, sculptured near coat of arms. no doubt rebus or jeu-de-mot on mure name, suggested reference feat performed in crusades against saracens. royal arms of scotland, blazoned, carved on main entrance, shields of cumin family, whom mures claim descent. on ornamented gateway stone date 1616 inscribed upon it.

engraving of castle james fittler in scotia depicta, published 1804

over doorway of porch inscription in hebrew using hebrew characters read lord portion of mine inheritance , of cup, psalms. xvi, verse 5. such inscription rare unique. doctor bonar, moderator of free church of scotland, put effort deciphering , translating it. @ front of castle stood perfect example of old loupin-on-stane. fine abundant pure water present @ rowallan. king william s located in policies of rowallan.

one of rooms called lord loudoun s sleeping apartment , adamson records every room throughout house has walls covered names , addresses of visitors. have left poems or have recorded details of visit in verse.

sir john , sir william muir took great pleasure in erection of various parts of rowallan, , record kept of portions completed each. of attention taken planting of castle policies.

part of castle known woman s house indicating time when gender separation norm privileged classes, reflected in decoration of these apartments , sewing , other work undertaken ladies of house.

in 1691 hearth tax records show castle had twenty-two hearths , eighteen other dwellings associated castle , lands.

edith rawdon-hastings, 10th countess of loudoun, fond of rowallan , spent considerable sums repairing castle in 19th century. without efforts building not have survived down present day.

row allan, row!

in connection rebus mentioned, tale told of 1 allan of stewarton rowing scottish chief off ayrshire coast. weather made turn worse , chief became anxious. chief in fear of ocean said allan, row, allan row! bear me safety , have rich lands of carmelside, wuth silver build castle. hill , valley , rivers of fish yours .... row, allan, row! allan won prize , named estate rowallan after adventure. same story told in form of poem written rev. george paxton kilmaurs, pastor of secession church 1789 - 1807.

rowallan castle in 1866