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Clan Boyd used their intelligence, bravery, and strength to gain impressive swathes of land across Scotland. Unsurprisingly, these territories held several grand castles that the family called home. Come along with us to explore these striking strongholds and the stories behind them.
Discover the Castles of Clan Boyd
Dean Castle
Standing among the trees of a vast Country Park in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, is Dean Castle, one of the most important surviving landmarks associated with Clan Boyd. Originally built in the 14th century, the castle served as the family’s ancestral seat for over 400 years. It was initially known as ‘Kilmarnock Castle,’ before its name changed to reflect its scenic surroundings, as ‘dean’ is a Gaelic word for a wooded valley.
It is thought that Sir Robert Boyd was granted these lands in 1316 by the King, as a reward for his contribution to the Battle of Bannockburn. An early version of the castle was probably built soon after by Sir Robert and his son, Thomas, with one notable feature being the keep. It seems to have been built in around 1350, mainly for defence. The walls are up to 3 meters thick, and the original entrance is high above ground level. Interestingly, there are no arrow slits in the walls of Dean Castle, which gives us an insight into the family’s fighting tactics, suggesting that they must have shot only from the battlements at the top of the building!
The castle was enlarged and improved throughout the 15th century, as the Boyds' influence continued to grow, and the clan remained in the stronghold for generations. However, tragedy struck in 1735 when a raging fire swept through the castle, badly damaging much of the main structure. The Boyds' fortunes continued to suffer when Lord William Boyd supported the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion. After the Jacobite cause failed, Lord Boyd was executed for treason, and his lands were forfeited.
For the following two centuries, the castle crumbled into decay, until Howard de Walden, 8th Lord took over ownership in 1899 and began a determined restoration project, as well as making several additions, including the gatehouse that can be seen today. Lord de Walden also used the castle to store his extensive collection of arms, armor, and musical instruments. In 1975, the 9th Lord de Walden gifted the castle, estate, and his father’s collection to the people of Kilmarnock, and it is now maintained by East Ayrshire Council, and is open for the public to visit.
We would recommend taking a trip yourself to discover Clan Boyd’s grand former stronghold! However, there is one thing you should be aware of before you enter the stunning grounds. Over the years, many have claimed to have met the disgruntled ghost of Lord William Boyd, the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock. It is said that, after he was beheaded for treason, his head was carried back to Dean Castle and stored in a large chest which is still present today in the tower. If you are brave enough to explore, be sure to let us know if you sense any supernatural presence in the ancient grounds!
Law Castle
Another fascinating old home of Clan Boyd’s is Law Castle, perched on a hill above West Kilbride. It is much smaller than Dean Castle, but no less significant! It is believed to have been built in around 1468 for Princess Mary, the sister of King James III, following her marriage to Thomas Boyd. Unusually for the time, it seems to have been designed with not only for defence, but also with comfort in mind. It had more, and larger, windows than standard, and numerous fireplaces in the majority of the rooms.
The castle, and its royal connection, demonstrated just how powerful Clan Boyd had become, but unfortunately their luck was about to change. Their success had inspired a lot of envy, and a bitter conspiracy arose claiming that the Boyds were plotting to overthrow the king. Thomas Boyd and his father were accused of treason, and Thomas’ marriage to Princess Mary was annulled. Both men fled, moving to England and Europe respectively.
Despite the family’s fall from favor, Law Castle remained associated with the Boyds until the 17th century, when its lands were sold to Major Hugh Buntine. Like many similar grand buildings in Scotland, it then suffered a long period of decline, and by the 19th century, it stood roofless. Restoration work began in the late 20th century, and the castle was eventually sold as a private residence.
Today, Law Castle serves as a fascinating reminder of when Clan Boyd stood at the heart of royal politics.
Portencross Castle
Our final Clan Boyd site for today is Portencross Castle, situated on the west coast of Scotland, about 3 km away from West Kilbride. There has been a castle on the site since the 11th century, with the earliest iteration being known as ‘Arneil.’ This fortress was owned by the de Ross family.
Clan Boyd gained ownership of the land in 1314, as a reward from King Robert the Bruce for their role in the victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn. Robert Boyd built Portencross soon after, choosing a prime spot on a rock promontory at the foot of Auld Hill, overlooking the Firth of Clyde. It is thought that the castle was probably first constructed as a stone-built house, with a barmkin protecting the structure. In the late 1400s, upper storeys and an attic were added, as well as a ground-floor entrance. Clan Boyd maintained ownership of the castle until 1737, and made further improvements over the years, including extending a dramatic spiral staircase.
After the Boyds left Portencross, it quickly began to crumble, losing its roof in 1739. However, local fishermen managed to make use of the castle, using the hall to store nets and other equipment. Sporadic restoration attempts were made over the following centuries, but the real work began in earnest in the 2010s, after the Friends of Portencross Castle were awarded grants from The Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, and the Architectural Heritage Fund to preserve the castle for future generations.
It is now open to the public at various points across the year, and is even available to hire for special events! Find out more on their website.
We hope you have enjoyed exploring these Boyd sites with us, and now feel a bit closer to this fascinating family. To learn more, head to our clan page for a comprehensive overview of Clan Boyd’s long and winding history, and be sure to keep an eye out for plenty more Boyd content coming this month!
Image Sources:
Dean Castle by Fraser Sutherland - Own work, CC BY 2.5
Law Castle View from the South by Humphrey Bolton, CC BY-SA 2.0
Portencross Castle by Raibeart MacAoidh, CC BY-SA 2.0
