OS grid reference NS3580207558 Sovereign state United Kingdom Police Scottish Phone +44 1655 750225 Scottish parliament Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock | Country Scotland Post town Kilmarnock Fire Scottish | |
 | ||
Lieutenancy areas South Ayrshire, Ayrshire and Arran Similar Blairquhan Castle, Brig o' Doon House H, Culzean Castle, Dalduff Farm, Savoy Park Hotel | ||
Cloncaird Castle is a privately owned. It is a 140-acre estate with castle near the small village of Kirkmichael, near Maybole, Ayrshire in Scotland. It is located next to the nearby Kelsie Burn.
The Castle was originally built during the 16th century, and is described as having been in the style of feudal mansions of that period, with huge square tower, narrow spiral staircase, and other indications of the time to which it belonged. Towards the close of the 16th century it was in the possession of Walter Mure, a scion of the Auchendrane family, and cousin of the unscrupulous Laird of Auchendrane who devised the 'Ayrshire Tragedy'. This Walter Mure of Cloncaird was the actual perpetrator of the murder of Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzean, and was assisted in the execution of his dreadful crime by his boon companion, Kennedy of Drumurchy.
The Castle was purchased by Henry Ritchie of Craigton and Busbie in the early 19th century and he made it his chief residence. In 1814 the front was entirely re-built and modernised, making it one of the finest mansions in Ayrshire. Henry, born 1777, was a descendant of James Ritchie, 'merchand burgess' of Glasgow; whose name appears in the Commisary Register in 1674. The family was settled in Craigton, Lanarkshire in 1746, and Henry's father, James, acquired the estate of Busbie, Ayrshire in 1763 and married 1765 Catharine, daughter of Robert Kerr of Newfield, a grandson of the 1st Marquess of Lothian.
Henry succeeded his father at Busbie and Craigton in 1799, and was twice married: to Elizabeth Cathcart (died 1836); then in 1838 to Catherine, daughter of James Fergusson of Kilkerran, 4th Baronet. Henry died in 1843 having had three unmarried daughters by his first wife, and the estates passed to his sister's son, William Wallace, representative of Wallace of Cairnhill.
A notable piece of history can be seen above the main entrance where a family crest is dated to 1585.
In 1949 the mansion was used as a convalescent home named Dubs Memorial and today the current owners are Ephraim Belcher and his family, Marilyn (his partner) and his two daughters Bea-Bea and his youngest Bowes. Mr. Belcher is also the owner of Belcher Food Products in Prestwick.
The grounds contain the following points of interest: