Cassillis House
Parish: Kirkmichael (Ayrshire)
County: Ayrshire
Grid reference: NS 34045 12819
Lat / long: 55.381259, -4.620852
Alternative names: Cassilis; Cassillis Castle
Cassillis House is the seat of the Kennedy family, and belongs to three distinct periods.
First to be built was a large, four storey tower house, constructed on a rectangular plan in the 14th or 15th centuries. It stands on a raised mound above the River Doon, and is oriented approximately north-east to south-west.
The walls are massively strong, being some 4.9 metres thick at the base, and the basement level is vaulted. Within the north wall is a pit prison.
A square stair tower was added to the north-east corner of the original tower in the 17th century, and at this time the parapet level was remodelled.
In the 19th century a modern mansion was added to the east, adjoining the 17th century stair tower, running approximately north-east to south-west and so forming a U-plan with the old tower.
David Kennedy, the 3rd Lord Kennedy, was created the 1st Earl of Cassillis in 1509. The title Marquess of Ailsa was created for Archibald Kennedy, the 12th Earl of Cassillis, in 1831, the title coming from the family's ownership of the Ailsa Craig.
The Lord Kennedy, the Earl of Cassillis and Marquess of Ailsa, is the hereditary clan chief of Clan Kennedy.
