Barr Castle

Nestled in the picturesque village of Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire, Scotland lies a hidden gem of Scotland’s medieval history, the Barr Castle. The castle was built in the 15th or early 16th century and has a rich and fascinating history, with several owners and renovations over the centuries.

The tower of Barr Castle is a simple rectangle, measuring 7.80m east to west by 10.70m transversely. It stands about 12.0m high and has walls made of roughly-coursed, square-faced masonry with dressed stone corner-quoins. The only remaining ornamental feature of the castle is the pediment above the main entrance, inscribed with the initials of Margaret Hamilton and John Wallace. The main entrance to the castle is at ground level on the west side and was a later alteration, with the original doorway on the first floor, reached by a stairway. Window openings still survive on all four sides of the castle, and elements that indicate later alterations can also be seen on the tower walls.

The ground floor of the castle was divided into two apartments, both of which had low vaulted ceilings. The hall occupied the entire first floor and was lit from all four sides. Unlike most Scottish castles, the hall had a flat and low ceiling instead of the usual loftily arched form. The second and third floors were each divided into two apartments, with a garderobe for each and separate access from the hall. Closets were formed in the thickness of the walls. The battlements had the common arrangement for the protection of the walls and had a complete passageway around the top of the building.

Barr Castle is adorned with various inscriptions carved into its fabric, including the initials of various Hamilton Lairds of Barr, John Wallace and his wife Margaret Hamilton, John Hamilton, and Jean Cochrane. These carvings are a testament to the castle’s rich history and the people who lived and owned it over the centuries.

Barr Castle was built by the Glen family and passed into the hands of the Hamiltons of Ferguslie at the end of the 16th century. Margaret Hamilton, eldest daughter of Allan Hamilton of Ferguslie, married John Wallace, and as per the terms of the contract, the husband assumed the name and arms of Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton of Barr, a great-grandson of Margaret and John, was born in 1670 and was listed as ‘of Barr’ in the 1695 Poll Tax roll for Lochwinnoch. He was appointed a Commissioner of Supply for Renfrewshire the following year. Alexander’s grandson John Hamilton sold the estate to the MacDowall family.

The MacDowall family owned the castle for several generations, but by the late 18th century, they abandoned the castle for a new mansion. The castle was left to ruin and has since been protected as a scheduled monument.

Today, Barr Castle stands as a ruin on a low ridge to the south of Lochwinnoch village. Although it is in a state of disrepair, it remains an important historical site and a testament to Scotland’s rich medieval history. Visitors can explore the castle and appreciate its unique architecture, inscriptions, and the fascinating history of the families who lived there.