Castle style mansion built for Thomas Kennedy of Dunure. The round bastion tower held the drawing room on the piano nobile with a library above, and along with the top-lit spiral central stair reflected Culzean Castle. The entrance front was originally reached via a forecourt flanked on one side by offices and by the castle itself on the other. The wings are an 1881 addition credited by different sources to either Walker and Son of Belgravia or Wardrop and Reid. All interiors have been lost, as was the roof in 1970.
In front of the main entrance, and forming an integral part of the design, stands a long low stable range connected at either end to the main building by screen walls with gateways. This property should not be confused with the ruined Old Dalquharran Castle which stands nearby.
7 September 1990: The Carrick Gazette reports that outline Planning Permission has been granted for the £27 million development of the castle and stable block. Development plans include a conference centre, country club, leisure centre, 18 hole golf course, 9 hole golf course, practice range, fishing lodge, clubhouse, a 150 bedroom hotel, and 258 holiday homes. Consultant architects are Bruce, Patience and Wernham, whilst the owner is reported as a Mr William Douglas Esq. 2 November 1990: The Carrick Herald reports that objections to the scheme have been lodged by several heritage bodies, including SCT and the Historic Buildings Commission. 1991: Davis, in The Castles and Mansions of Ayrshire, reports the castle to be vandalised and pillaged, with the staircase railings broken off for scrap. The external stonework is described as very well preserved, although the gardens are no longer identifiable. The stable range is reported as occupied, partly as dwellings. 31 October 1991: The Carrick Herald reports that Luma Resorts’ development plans have collapsed, as have other plans by Coatbridge-based Kelvin Homes, backed by Italian company Tirrena. The Japanese Sogo Corporation is reported to be interested in developing the castle into a 26 bedroom hotel. However, the scheme would be dependent on grant funding. 14 November 1995: The Edinburgh Gazette advertises an application by Westway Estates Ltd, Glasgow for the alteration, restoration, and extension of the castle and stable block to form a hotel. SCT supports the scheme, which would see the stable block joined to the castle via an underground tunnel. February 1996: SCT receives information that planning consent has been granted. March 2002: A new Listed Building Consent application has been lodged by Ritz Calton Group for the conversion of the castle to a hotel. Consultant architects are Arthur Gibney and Partners. SCT strongly objects, stating that the plan is overly ambitious and would severely compromise the integrity of the castle and its surrounding topography. The proposed extension would be twice the size of the castle, and would be only 1 storey lower. SCT states that such an extension would compromise the view of the castle from across the valley by creating an asymmetrical outlook to the north east. SCT also objects to the proposed use of inferior materials and a failure to adequately respond to the building’s architectural rhythm. 3 March 2004: The Ayr Advertiser reports that Kezia DCM Ltd is seeking Outline Planning Permission for conversion into a 40-bedroom hotel and the erection of 40 residential houses and an 18-hole golf course. 2 September 2004: The Carrick Gazette reports that 3 letters of objection have been received, although outline permissions are likely to be granted. 9 September 2004: The Carrick Gazette reports that local planners have recommended approval subject to 50 conditions. 17 September 2004: The Herald reports that permissions have been granted. The castle will be extended and become a 130-bedroom Ritz-Carlton Hotel, whilst an 18-hole golf course and 40 chalets will be built. 23 September 2004: The Ayr Extra repeats the story. June 2006: Local planners report that whilst works have not yet started the applicant is commited to the development propsal going ahead.
