Little Cumbrae Castle

#164 Little Cumbrae Castle
Castle Island, just off Little Cumbrae Island
Firth of Clyde
Ayrshire, Scotland
15th century
This is NOT an official Lego site

Mention of Little Cumbrae Island, resting not far from the mouth of the River Clyde in the Firth of Clyde, goes back to about 1300. The island was the property of the Crown, with Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland and son-in-law of King Robert the Bruce, possibly having built a castle or hunting lodge on the island. Their son Robert II, King of Scots, visited Little Cumbrae in 1375 and 1384 on hunting expeditions. King Robert III also visited "Little Cumbrae Castle". The Hereditary Foresters of Little Cumbrae were the Hunters of nearby Hunterston for several centuries, but in 1515, the Privy Council charged that Robert Hunter did not have the means or power to keep and protect the royal falcons, and gave the island to Hew Montgomery, Earl of Eglinton. This arrangement was disputed, but eventually finalized in 1555 by King James V.

The current castle, a very well preserved ruin, was likely built by a member of the Hunter family, but it is thought that the current tower is not the "auld castle" of legend, occupied at times by Kings Robert II and Robert III. Martin Coventry in his 3rd edition of The Castles of Scotland, lists the keep as "15th-century", removing the Earls of Eglinton as builders. The rectangular tower measures 30 by 41 feet, with a 44' height at the wall walk. The original entrance is on the first floor, reachable by a retractable ladder. A later door was added on the ground floor to give direct access to the cellars. The tower is three stories plus an attic, with corbelled-out parapets that include three open rounds. The basement contains two cellars, the first floor the Hall and kitchen, separated by the screen, and the second floor and garret several bedrooms. The tower has multiple shot-holes.

Little Cumbrae Castle was apparently held by the Montgomery Earls of Eglinton until late in the 16th century, but in 1599 Robert Boyd of Badinhaith [Badenheath] lived in the castle and planned to encourage trade to Little Cumbrae by building a harbor. Local residents, especially several Montgomerys, broke down the doors and reoccupied the castle. The Montgomerys sided with the Crown during the Civil War, and the tower was burned but escaped destruction at the end of the war, though it was never reoccupied. Were the location not so remote, the ruin would probably have been restored by now. Visitors can climb to the parapet level.

Photos of the Lego Model
Under Construction in January 2018


Construction begins on January 13. The keep will be dark gray Lego with light gray quoins.	By the next day the first floor entrance and hall windows are in place.	I've tried to match the patterns of lighter stone as much as possible.	By January 15 the tower has reached the height of the...


...corbelling for the parapets. These are always fun to build!	By January 20 enough light gray 1x2 plates and jumpers have been...	...freed up to complete the false machicolations. The roof and parapets will soon follow!	See below!

Photos of the Lego Model Built January 13-21, 2018

So here's Hugh Montgomerie, Lord of Eglinton, guarding the entrance to his tower.	The southwest view shows Lady Eglinton watching the horizon.	This has been a fun build, with dark gray brick and light gray accents.	The ruin is in great shape considering 350 years abandonment!


The northeast view highlights the door from garret to parapets.	This is a really cool modest Scottish tower house!	So here are a couple of closeups of the machicolations, and the open rounds which guard three...	...but not all four corners of the tower.


Drawing showing lower door added later	Plan of the Ground Floor	Plan of the First Floor	Plan of the Second Floor	Cross-section looking west

Build Your Own

Lego Plans of the First Floor and Roof with parapets	South and East Lego Elevations