The Castle takes its name from 'The Dean' or wooded valley, a common place name in Scotland. However, until about 1700 it was called Kilmarnock Castle. Owned originally by the Boyd family, it has strong historical connections with many people and events famous in Scottish history.

Robert the Bruce who gave the Boyds these lands, James III whose sister married a Boyd, the Covenanters, some of whom were imprisoned here, Bonnie Prince Charlie, whose rebellion was joined by the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock and Robert Burns who was encouraged to publish his poetry by the Earl of Glencairn who owned the Castle at that time.

After an accidental fire in 1735 the Castle had almost two centuries of neglect, although some of the buildings always remained in use. The Palace was not properly repaired until the 20th century and the Castle was not used as the owner's main residence again until this was done.

When the 8th Lord Howard de Walden inherited the castle he began its restoration. He completed the keep in 1908 and, in the 1940's, moved his collection of arms and armour and his father-in-law's collection of musical instruments to the castle. Restoration was completed in 1946, and in 1975 the castle, collections and estate were gifted to Kilmarnock by the 9th Lord Howard de Walden.

Dean Castle - The Keep

The oldest part of the castle, the Keep, was built about 1360, and although it acted as the owner's main residence, it was designed for defence rather than comfort. The walls are over three metres thick, and originally the ground floor had neither windows nor outside doors, a ladder would be used to reach the first-floor door. This led to the Great Hall, with a high vaulted stone ceiling and a minstrels' gallery. The hatch leading down to the dungeon can be seen in the guardroom. The spiral stair leads to the Upper Hall-the private sitting-room for the lord and his family. This has two fireplaces to allow it to be partitioned into two rooms-one for men, one for ladies. Off this room are the private chapel, and the tiny lady's bower with stone bench and toilet. At the top the battlements could be used by archers and crossbowmen if the castle was attacked.

Today the Keep houses two fine collections, one of arms and armour and one of musical instruments..the Van Raalte collection, as well as examples of medieval tapestries.

For more information, see the Dean Castle website