Maybole Castle

Maybole Castle in Ayrshire is believed to be Maybole's oldest inhabited house, dating to around 1560 and built by the 3rd Earl of Cassillis as the town house and winter residence of the Earls of Cassillis. This 16th-century L-plan tower rises four stories with walls up to 7 feet thick, featuring two circular corbelled bartizans with conical roofs on the northeast side. The castle displays fine decorative stonework, including a rare oriel window capped with carved heads overlooking the High Street. Though the Earls later spent less time in Maybole and the castle fell into disrepair, it was reroofed in 1812 and enhanced with additions. Today it remains a striking example of Scottish Renaissance architecture and is famously associated with local legend.