If you are in the area of New Galloway, travelling along the A762 and you like exploring old ruins and castles then you must go and check out this amazing hidden gem, it is a wonder to behold.
There are absolutely no road signs informing you that this treasure is hiding here, the only indication is a wooden gate and stile and a lovely tree lined avenue to…. ?? So we just had to go and investigate.
Parking the campervan in front of the wooden gate, we went on foot (the only way) down the avenue of trees, wondering as to what we were likely to find. Upon nearing the end of the avenue we finally started to see the ruined remains of what was once an impressive building. Sat high on top of a large mound rose Kenmure Castle. The path went either left or right, we chose left and a short while later we came across some stone steps leading upwards. These are quite narrow and steep but are most definitely the easiest way of reaching the top of the mound.
Once we reached the top the full beauty, or demise, depending on your viewpoint of Kenmure Castle was revealed and boy what an absolutely interesting, almost hideous remains awaited us.
Once you looked past the awful outside render work that had at some point been put on, there was an inner beauty and grandness to this building, but at first glance and without any knowledge or history of what we were looking at, it gave, to all intents and purpose as if an inexperienced builder had been let loose on a pre-existing castle ruin and attempted to make good, but with very little success or care.
You could see original castle stone work, dating back pre 1900s nastily covered by more recent brickwork and rendering. At some point fireplaces, steel girders and window shutters had also been fitted alongside a TV aerial and electric, but all were just jumbled remains now.
Spiral staircases and beautiful cellar archways were crumbling into oblivion and an overall
sense of depression and sadness filtered the air as we gazed over and over this massive decaying structure - trying to envisage its original beauty and understand some of it’s history.
After much time, going round and round the building, and many photographs later, we consulted the internet to try and find out more about the history of the site and what had happened here and it makes interesting reading.
Turns out the Castle has been derelict since the mid 20th century, prior to that it operated as a hotel from the late 1940s to 1957. Before that it had several notable owners, and the core of the present building incorporates part of an earlier 17th Century Castle - this is the impressive stone work you can still see. It is reported that in 1508 James IV of Scotland came to stay at Kenmure following a pilgrimage as well as Mary, Queen of Scots back in August 1563 as she traveled to St Mary’s Isle.
So for such a hidden treasure it holds much history!
Thanks for reading.
Fred & Em
Please note: This ruin is not suitable for wheelchairs, or people with mobility issues. The site is dangerous, and has already had extensive collapse, with several areas marked as unsafe, so recommend viewing with the utmost caution and care! Also suggest avoiding wet, wintery days as the ground can be incredibly muddy and slippery otherwise.
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