Seagate Castle

Seagate Castle is a ruined castle in the Scottish city of Irvine in North Ayrshire Unitary Authority. In 1971 the building was added to the Scottish lists of monuments in the highest category A monument. In addition, the facility is classified as a Scheduled Monument.

History

In 1184 the castle " Irewin " is mentioned, an important fortress, around which grew the present town of Irvine. There should have been signed in 1297 the Treaty of Irvine. Maybe today Seagate Castle occupies the same site and includes fragments of the older fortress. Seagate Castle was built in 1562-1585 for Hugh Montgomerie, 3rd Earl of Eglinton. His descendants occupied the fort until the 1740s. Allegedly ordered Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton to the removal of the roof to feed the bar to build a church in Ardrossan.

Description

Although Seagate Castle is located in the center of Irvine, it is not about the city palace of a nobleman, but a castle. The masonry consists of quarry stone from the sandstone, which is in the front area of red and in the rear of gray color. In the latter area, it is probably because the fragments of the older fortress. The 30 m long structure is entered through a central arched portal with allegedly Norman garb, which is completely preserved until today. Links of the gate is attached a metal panel that points to the signing of the Treaty of Irvine as well as a visit to the Scottish Queen Mary Stuart. The irregular floor with several window openings and loopholes is partially preserved up to the stair tower. This was equipped with armored troop watchtowers. The gables were worked partly as a stepped gable.