Castles of Clan Boyd

Dean Castle
Dean Castle, located in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, was the principal seat of Clan Boyd from the 14th century until the 18th century. Built around 1350 by Sir Robert Boyd, the keep and later palace block reflect both the military and domestic life of the Boyd lords. The Boyds rose to prominence during the Wars of Independence and were later created Earls of Kilmarnock. The castle was damaged by fire in 1735 and eventually abandoned as a residence. Restored in the 20th century, Dean Castle is now a museum and public park, showcasing medieval architecture and the legacy of Clan Boyd.

Ballycastle Castle (Antrim, Northern Ireland)
Ballycastle Castle was a 17th-century stronghold associated with the Boyds of Ballycastle, a cadet branch descended from the Scottish Boyds. Hugh Boyd, a descendant of the Boyds of Kilmarnock, was granted land in County Antrim during the Plantation of Ulster. The Boyds built Ballycastle Castle near the modern town center, and the estate remained in the family until the 19th century. The original castle has since vanished, though parts of the estate were incorporated into later buildings. It highlights Clan Boyd’s presence in Ireland during the early modern period.

Portencross Castle
Portencross Castle, on the Ayrshire coast near West Kilbride, was originally held by the Ross family but came into Boyd hands in the 17th century. The Boyds used it as a residence and lookout over the Firth of Clyde. The tower house was built in the 14th century and includes a vaulted cellar, stone spiral staircase, and a hall on the upper floor. Though abandoned by the 18th century, it has been recently restored and is now open to the public. Its coastal location made it an important maritime site for Clan Boyd’s western interests.

Castles Loosely Associated with Clan Boyd

Dundonald Castle
Dundonald Castle, near Troon, was a royal castle built by King Robert II in the 14th century. While not owned by Clan Boyd, it served as a center of power during their early rise in Ayrshire. The Boyds had close royal connections and often served the Stewart kings, using their influence at Dundonald and nearby royal estates. The stone tower still stands as a prominent feature overlooking the Firth of Clyde. It represents the political environment in which Clan Boyd gained prominence.

Kilmarnock Castle (site)
Before Dean Castle became the Boyd seat, there was a medieval motte-and-bailey castle in the town of Kilmarnock. Known as Kilmarnock Castle or sometimes “Old Kilmarnock Castle,” it likely served as an early stronghold for the family in the 13th century. The site was eventually abandoned or redeveloped by the time Dean Castle was built. No visible remains exist today, but the location is marked in local records. It provides historical context for the clan’s origins in the region.

Craufurdland Castle
Craufurdland Castle, located near Fenwick in East Ayrshire, was owned by the Craufurds but linked to the Boyds through marriage and regional alliances. The two families often collaborated during periods of conflict and shared overlapping territories. The castle, now a private residence and estate, has a 16th-century core with later additions. While never held by the Boyds, its history is intertwined with theirs through local politics and intermarriage. It reflects the network of gentry families in the West of Scotland.

References

Coventry, M. (2010). The Castles of Scotland (5th ed.). Musselburgh: Goblinshead.
Tabraham, C. (2005). Scotland’s Castles. London: Batsford.
Historic Environment Scotland. (n.d.). Castle Records and Listings.
Dean Castle & Country Park Archives. (n.d.).
RCAHMS. (n.d.). National Monuments Record of Scotland.
Boyd, R. (1884). The Boyds of Kilmarnock: A History of the Family. Edinburgh: Boyd Clan Society Press.