Barr Castle
Lochwinnoch

Barr Castle is just to the south-west of Lochwinnoch on the A760.

It's midway between the main road and National Cycle Route 7 along the old railway line between Lochwinnoch and Kilbirnie.

The castle is in private hands and there is no public access.

Looking west. The castle was built in the 16th century by the Glens of Barr and later passed to the Hamiltons of Ferguslie.

The castle was then sold to the MacDowall family and by that route it became the clan seat of the MacDowallls.

To the north-east with the town of Lochwinnoch to the left and Castle Semple Loch on the right.

Closer in.

This was not so much a defensive castle as a high-class residence, one single door to the ground floor on the west face, a hall above that on the first floor and a residence on the top two floors.

Almost directly overhead showing the two internal stairwells to the front of the castle.

Barr Loch to the right, Castle Semple Loch to the left.

The old railway line across the middle of this photo is now part of National Cycle Route 7, this section running from Lochwinnoch to Kilbirnie.