Hunterston Castle

Hunterston Castle is a keep dating from the 15th century or early 16th century, with a house added in the 17th century. Originally, a morass surrounded the castle, along with a protective moat and rampart. The keep is small and has four stories, with the lowest level being vaulted. The main entrance is on the first floor, leading to a wheel-stair within the thickness of the wall that ascends to the top, where a parapet walk is safeguarded by a battlement that projects on small corbels around three sides. The 17th century house addition features a staircase turret that projects from the middle of the south side. The building is well-preserved and was the residence of the Hunter family until a Georgian mansion was constructed. Although the ranges of offices that once accompanied the castle no longer exist, replaced by a modern homestead, the small courtyard on the south side appears to be old. The remaining structure presents a picturesque range, with courtyards to the north and south.