Dalquharran Castle

Near Dailly

South Ayrshire

Scotland

Circa Date: 1785-90 w/1880-81 additions

Status: Ruin

Roof removed in 1967 and all but the offices gutted in 1971.

House Open to Public: No

Country House: Yes

Earlier Houses: The earlier Old Dalquharran Castle, the ruins of which are extant, was abandoned when the new house was built in the late 18th century.

Built / Designed For: Thomas Kennedy of Dunure

House & Family History: Thomas Kennedy, the builder of Dalquharran, was the husband of Robert Adam's niece. The house that Adam built for Kennedy has similarities with Culzean Castle, which Adam had designed in the 1770s for another member of the family--David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassilis.
Architect: Robert Adam

Date of Birth: 1728
Date of Death: 1792
Nationality: British
Notes: The prolific Robert Adam was the son of William Adam, Sr., and one of the four Adam brothers. Robert is noted for having "Never once built a great house from scratch," though he was the "it" architect of the 1760s and 70s, with an impressive and aristocratic client list a mile long. The Georgian House, Edinburgh, is considered by many to be Adam's urban masterpiece. Among his finest works are the Library of Kenwood House, London; Culzean Castle, Ayrshire; the Library of Mellerstain House, Scottish Borders; Syon House, London; and Newby Hall in Yorkshire.

Date: 1789-90
Designed: House

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Architect: Wardrop & Reid

Date of Birth: NA
Date of Death: NA
Nationality: British
Notes: 19th century Edinburgh architecture practice.

Date: 1880-81
Designed: Additions for Francis Thomas Romilly Kennedy

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Country Life: Aug 22, 1974.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Category A

Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Sir Thomas Kennedy of Kirkhill, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, 17th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Thomas Kennedy of Dunure, 18th century; Francis Thomas Romilly Kennedy, 19th century. John Stewart, 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: Unknown

Primary Current Ownership Use: Ruinous
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No

Dalquharran Castle

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