Castles · Scottish Lowlands
Greenan Castle
In or near Annbank.
Greenan Castle — castle in South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Ayr · 3.6 km
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Greenan Castle, the nearest railway station is Ayr, located 3.6 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is KA7 4HX. Accessibility is limited for wheelchair users.
About
Greenan Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 55.4386°, -4.6702°.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2025
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Heritage listing
Greenan Castle is a 16th-century ruined tower house, around 2+1⁄2 miles (4 kilometres) southwest of Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Situated at the top of a sea cliff, it was originally a promontory fort converted into a motte-and-bailey in the 12th century. In the 15th century a tower house was built by the Lords of the Isles, which later passed into the hands of the Kennedy family.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Greenan Castle is a 16th-century ruined tower house, around 2+1⁄2 miles (4 kilometres) southwest of Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Situated at the top of a sea cliff, it was originally a promontory fort converted into a motte-and-bailey in the 12th century. In the 15th century a tower house was built by the Lords of the Isles, which later passed into the hands of the Kennedy family.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The lands of Greenan were forfeited by John, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles in 1476 for treason against James III. In 1493 James IV granted the Lands of Greenan to William Douglas, son of Archibald, Earl of Angus. The first known defensive structure on the site was a promontory fort, probably a fortified farmstead, enclosing around 1 acre. Four concentric curved ditches, each around 3 m wide, cut off the headland with the exception of a single causeway to provide access. It is not known how long this settlement was occupied, but the site was re-used in the twelfth century. Beside the tower are traces of a walled courtyard and outbuildings—probably stables and a kitchen block, as the…
Description
The entrance lintel has the inscription, JK 1603 FND, for John Kennedy of Baltersan and his third wife, Florence NickDowall, who held the lands, Greenan Mill, and salmon fishing rights on the River Doon at that time.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.4386, -4.6702
- District
- South Ayrshire
- Postcode
- KA7 4HX
- Parliamentary constituency
- Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
- Nearest railway station
- Ayr — 3.6 km
- Official site
- www.livebreathescotland.com
Sources
- wikidata: Q9704234 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Greenan Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Greenan Shore and Castle - geograph.org.uk - 380033.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Craig Tara
Caravan parks · 1.3 km
Alloway Mill
Watermills · 1.5 km
Doonfoot Bridge
Historic bridges · 1.5 km
Heads of Ayr Farm Park
Zoos & aquariums · 1.9 km
Laigh Kyleston, dun site
Archaeological sites · 1.9 km
Cambusdoon House
Historic houses · 2.0 km
Newark Castle
Literary houses · 2.2 km
Belleisle Golf Course
Golf courses · 2.2 km
Liberty Regain'd
Public art & sculpture · 2.3 km
Chieftain
Public art & sculpture · 2.4 km
Monument to a Mouse
Public art & sculpture · 2.4 km
Burns Cottage
Museums · 2.4 km
Nearby
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Lowlands
Craig Tara
Craig Tara — a caravan park in scotland lowlands.
📷 5Watermills · Scottish Lowlands
Alloway Mill
Alloway Mill — category B listed building-listed watermill in scotland-lowlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic bridges · Scottish Lowlands
Doonfoot Bridge
Doonfoot Bridge — category B listed building-listed bridge in scotland-lowlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Zoos & aquariums · Scottish Lowlands
Heads of Ayr Farm Park
Heads of Ayr Farm Park — a zoo aquarium in scotland-lowlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Archaeological sites · Scottish Lowlands
Laigh Kyleston, dun site
Laigh Kyleston, dun site — a archaeological in scotland-lowlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Historic houses · Scottish Lowlands
Cambusdoon House
Cambusdoon House — a historic house in scotland-lowlands, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Greenan Castle
Places to stay
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Lowlands
Craig Tara
Craig Tara — a caravan park in scotland lowlands.
📷 6
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Lowlands
Heads of Ayr Caravan Park
Heads of Ayr Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland lowlands.
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Lowlands
Ayr Cragie Gardens Caravan Club
Ayr Cragie Gardens Caravan Club — a caravan park in scotland lowlands.
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Lowlands
Crofthead Holiday Park
Crofthead Holiday Park — a caravan park in scotland lowlands.
📷 5Places to eat & drink
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Lowlands
Railway Tavern, 18 Smith Street, Ayr
Railway Tavern, 18 Smith Street, Ayr in Scotland Lowlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Lowlands
The White House and Adjoining Joiner's Shop, Kirkmichael Arms, Straiton Road, Kirkmichael
The White House and Adjoining Joiner's Shop, Kirkmichael Arms, Straiton Road, Kirkmichael in Scotland Lowlands, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Scottish Lowlands
Commercial Inn, 1-3 Mill Street, Ochiltree
Commercial Inn, 1-3 Mill Street, Ochiltree in Scotland Lowlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Lowlands
Doon Tavern, High Street, Dalmellington
Doon Tavern, High Street, Dalmellington in Scotland Lowlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Lowlands
Public House, Lawthorn, Irvine
Public House, Lawthorn, Irvine in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Lowlands
The Clansman, 58, 60, 62 John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock
The Clansman, 58, 60, 62 John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
More castles in this region
📷 4
📷 5
📷 4Castles · Scottish Lowlands
The Hirsel
The Hirsel in England North East, United Kingdom.
📷 4Frequently asked questions
- Where is Greenan Castle?
- Greenan Castle is in the Scottish Lowlands, United Kingdom (postcode KA7 4HX).
- What is Greenan Castle?
- Greenan Castle — castle in South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Greenan Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Ayr, about 3.6 km away. Drivers can use postcode KA7 4HX.
- Is Greenan Castle a listed building?
- Greenan Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Does Greenan Castle charge admission?
- Greenan Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Greenan Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Ayr, about 3.6 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode KA7 4HX.