Stevenston, Scotland is home to Kerelaw Castle, built in the 12th century. The castle has a very turbulent history. First held by the Lockhart’s who were given a land grant, it was passed to the Campbell’s of Loudoun and then to the Cunninghame’s of Kilmaurs. In 1488, while in the Cunninghame’s possession, the castle was burned to the ground as a result of a feud with the Earl of Eglinton. As an act of vengeance, the Cunninghames burned Eglinton Castle.

Rebuilt in the late 15th century, the castle became the home of the Abbot of Kilwinning. Purchased by Sir Thomas Boyd in 1609, it was quickly sold back to the Cunninghame family. The mid-1600 saw the castle sold to John Hamilton and became the Hamilton family’s home until Alexander Hamilton built Kerelaw House in 1787. At that point the castle was abandoned.

After Alexander’s death in 1838, the property that houses the Kerelaw Castle and Kerelaw House was sold to Gavin Fullerton. North Ayrshire Council has taken over ownership of the Kerelaw Castle ruins and it is a fairly notable tourist attraction. If you are a hardy soul, you may want to explore the woodland upstream from the castle. The woods, glen, river, ancient footbridge, and view are well worth the exploration.

Little is left of the Kerelaw Castle ruins. Three walls remain in varying states of decline. Also surviving is the Gothic windows in the south wall. Kerlaw House was purchased from the Campbell family in 1969 by a private company and was demolished. All that remains is the driveway that led up to the house.

This castle has an incredible amount of history that you can soak up while you visit this bit of the past.

Photo Credit: Dreamer84

Coal mining was the town’s mainstay for several centuries until the coal pits were mined out toward the end of the 1800’s. During the 1900’s, explosive and chemical production was the town’s lifeblood. The town was devastated when ICI closed plants and reduced its presence in the town. Although the ICI site was taken over and is operated as Nobel Enterprises, the level of production is at a much smaller scale.

Nobel Enterprises manufactures nitrocellulose, which is commonly known as guncotton. In 2007, some 1500 to 1700 tons of nitrocellulose were destroyed in a major fire. Fortunately there were no serious injuries and property damage was minimal.

This downturn has had a sustained effect on the economy. Once an area that boasted three train stations, one closed in 1932 with the second closing in 1966.

Given the history of this town, in addition to Kerelaw Castle, there are some points of interest that you can visit. A unique sundial on Old High Road in Mayville dates back to 1773 although it sits on a pedestal from a later date. The manse on Schoolwell Street was built in 1787 and incorporates parts of the original manse in it. In addition, there was an addition to the building in 1885. The details of this building are fascinating to see. Wandering around the town will take you to the many other buildings and features steeped in history.

One of the highlights of any visit to Stevenston is a stroll on the beach. Stevenston Beach is the location of the last of the fully forming sand dune system in North Ayrshire. The dunes and beach are an ever-changing tableau. Unusual species like Snow Bunting, Babington’s orache, and Isle of Man Cabbage are abundant here.

Ardrossan’s roots have been traced back as far as about 1140, when Ardrossan Castle was built on Cannon Hill. The castle was seized by the English in 1292 and successfully held until 1296. In that year, the English were lured out of castle and slaughtered by William Wallace. Oliver Cromwell had the castle completely destroyed in 1648. The stones were taken to build a fort in Ayr. Although the castle ruins still exist, they are in an extremely dangerous condition.

Due to the Ardrossan’s port, the town grew during the 1700’s and 1800’s. Pig iron and coal were the chief exports and the town transitioned to a shipbuilding center. It remained a shipbuilding center until foreign competition effectively closed the shipyards in the 1950’s.

Ardrossan has the distinction of being one of the last towns in Scotland to be made a Burgh. This designation occurred in 1846 and was removed in 1974 with the formation of the Strathclyde Regional Council. The town became part of North Ayrshire in 1996 and is now being positioned as the gateway to Arran.

The town in the middle of Three Towns, Saltcoats, received its name from the practice of harvesting sea salt from the waters off the coast. With the industry of “salt panning” declined in the 1900’s, the town became a vacation destination. The tourist industry has thrived as people have discovered the gorgeous beaches and the breathtaking view of Arran across the water.

The town was granted Burgh status in 1528 and that status remained until 1975 when the North Ayrshire Council absorbed it.

First mentioned in 1240, the town of Stevenston is the most southerly town of the Three Towns. An industrial center for many years, with the depletion of coal and the reduction of chemical production, the town has focused on tourism.

The stretch of unique dunes and stunning beaches has proven to be a lure for holiday goers. In addition to the beaches, challenging golf courses provide a draw for tourists. The history of the area, the golf and the beaches all combine to provide an irresistible attraction to many looking for a nice holiday destination.