Dennistoun (site of)

Dennistoun, of which nothing now remains, was a castle belonging to the Dennistoun of Dennistoun family.

The parish of Kilmacolm was divided into the two baronies of Dennistoun and Duchal on either side of the Gryfe, of which Dennistoun was the larger. The first Dennistoun lord is said to have been called Denzil or Daniel, after whom the barony was named variously Danzielstoun or Danielstoun, later becoming Dennistoun or Denniston.

The first Dennistoun castle is likely to have been built on Denniston motte, probably in the 12th century. At some point a new caste was built at Dennistoun, although little seems to be known about it.

At the beginning of the 15th century Sir Robert Dennistoun died without a male heir and the lands of Dennistoun were divided between his daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth. Margaret Dennistoun married Sir William Cunningham of Kilmaurs in 1405 and her dowry included the lands of Dennistoun, Finlaystone, Kilmaronock and Glencairn.

Despite speculation that it may have fallen out of use at this time, Dennistoun is marked on a map by Timothy Pont published in the late 16th century.

An alternative site for Dennistoun has been suggested at South Dennistoun, close to Denniston motte, where a T-shaped building can be seen on 19th century maps.