A roofless Scottish castle that has stood for centuries is back on the market for offers over £120,000. Baltersan Castle, near Maybole in Ayrshire, was built in 1584 and deserted around the middle of the 18th century. Despite its long period without a roof, much of the Category A-listed building remains intact, including original fireplaces, staircases, floor levels and window openings.The castle occupies 0.75 acres of land, around 10 miles from Ayr and 45 miles from Glasgow. Architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh sketched the building in 1895, while poets Robert Burns and John Keats also visited it. According to The Scottish Sun, the property is being marketed as a rare restoration opportunity.
Baltersan Castle: The 16th-century Scottish tower house on sale
Baltersan Castle is being offered for offers over £120,000, a price lower than many flats in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The property is a roofless, Category A-listed building near Maybole in Ayrshire. It comes with 0.75 acres of land and lies around 10 miles from Ayr and 45 miles from Glasgow. Selling agent Galbraith described it as an “exceptional” L-plan tower house with “national architectural and historic significance”.The agent also called the sale a “unique opportunity” to buy and restore one of the region’s most important historic buildings. However, planning consent for rebuilding and converting the tower house has expired.Baltersan Castle was constructed in 1584 by John Kennedy of Pennyglen and his wife, Margaret Cathcart. The Kennedys were a distinguished family in the Carrick area. The building is described as an L-plan tower house, and the agent describes it as a building of “national architectural and historic significance.” The structure was deserted around the middle of the 18th century. Despite that long period of abandonment, much of the building remains intact, including its original architectural details.
A roofless structure still preserves centuries-old architectural details
Although Baltersan Castle has stood without a roof for centuries, much of its original structure remains intact. The Category A-listed building retains its original fireplaces and staircases, along with its floor levels, roof geometry and window openings.The property also comes with 0.75 acres of land. According to the selling agent, the castle has retained a “remarkable degree” of structural integrity despite its long period of abandonment.
Poets and a designer are among the notable figures linked to the castle
Baltersan Castle attracted the attention of architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who sketched the building in 1895 while holidaying in the area. The castle was also visited by poets Robert Burns and John Keats.In 2024, it emerged that the castle was in line for a £2 million restoration. It had previously been purchased by Italian computer engineer Angelo Ovidi for an undisclosed fee, with plans to restore the structure. The property is now back on the market, but planning consent for rebuilding and conversion has expired.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information. The Times of India has not independently verified the property details, asking price, restoration costs, planning consent status or historical claims mentioned.
