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Mauchline Castle, also known as Abbot Hunter's Tower, is a rectangular tower house dating from the fifteenth century, in Mauchline, East Ayrshire, Scotland.
Contents
Map of Mauchline Castle, Loudoun St, Mauchline KA5 5BA, UK
History
Before 1177 the Cistercian Melrose Abbey held lands in Ayrshire, virtually represented by Mauchline parish. The castle was constructed by monks from Melrose Abbey in about 1450. The arms of Abbot Hunter (c1444-71) on a boss in the vaulting of the first-floor hall give the earliest dating of the Castle. Huw Campbell of Loudoun was appointed Bailie of Barony in 1521, gaining the temporal lordship in 1606. Gavin Hamilton, friend of Robert Burns, later lived in the tower as a tenant of Lord Loudoun
The tower fell into disrepair.
Structure
The tower is built of red ashlar, being 5 feet thick. The entrance is to the south, at ground level, with a turnpike stair to its left. There are four main storeys, and a crowstep gable storey. There is an unusual double garderobe chute at the north gable. There are two vaults in the basement, which are lit poorly. Externally it measures 10.0 metres east to west by 9.0 metres. Above the entrance there is a statue niche.
The hall, which is on the first floor,it ribe-vaulted in two bays. There is a window with stone seats. There are four non-defensive windows on the east of the building.
Against the west wall there is a 17th-century house.
Traditions
Robert Burns is said to have written the parody sermon The Calf, and to have married Jean Armour, in the castle.