{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox building | name = Baltersan Castle | image = Baltersan Castle - geograph.org.uk - 429772.jpg | image_size = 220 | image_caption = | status = Ruins | building_type = tower-house | location_town = Maybole | location_country = Scotland | coordinates = {{Coord|55.342731|-4.709822|display=inline,title}} | completion_date = {{Start date|1584}} | owner = Lichtsome Hoose Ltd | floor_count = 5 originally, none remain | floor_area = {{convert|250|m2|abbr=on}} | grounds_area = {{convert| 0.75|acres}} }}
'''Baltersan Castle''' is a ruined L-plan tower house located near Maybole, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It was originally graded as a Category B listed building in 1971, but this was upgraded to Category A in 1995.<ref name=hes>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB7588|desc=Baltersan Castle|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref> It is listed as at moderate risk by the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.<ref name=bar>{{cite web |title=Baltersan, Kirkoswald {{!}} Buildings at Risk Register |url=http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/895549 |website=www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk |accessdate=24 March 2020}}</ref>
==History== The site was originally occupied by Baltersan House, owned by Egidia Blair, Lady Row, who died in 1530. After her death, the house was demolished.<ref name="maybole">{{cite web | url=http://www.maybole.org/places/baltersancastle/index.htm | title=Baltersan Castle | publisher=Maybole | accessdate=20 June 2015}}</ref> The remains of her tomb can be seen in nearby Crossraguel Abbey. Her will survives and shows she was a generous benefactor to the Abbey, relatives, friends and neighbours. The inscription above the door tell us that the existing tower-house was built on the site in 1584,<ref name="everycastle">{{cite web | url=http://www.everycastle.com/Baltersan-Castle.html | title=Baltersan Castle | publisher=Every Castle | accessdate=20 June 2015}}</ref> the work of John Kennedy of Pennyglen (near Maybole) and Margaret Cathcart, his spouse.<ref name=can>{{Cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/40810/baltersan-castle|title=Baltersan Castle {{!}} Canmore|website=canmore.org.uk|language=en|access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>
Timothy Pont's 16th-century description of Baltersan described the castle as {{blockquote|"A stately fine house with gardens, orchards, parks and woods about it ..."}}
John Kennedy, "apparent of Baltersan", the heir, was a royal servant in 1601.<ref>''HMC 5th Report: Wharncliffe'' (London, 1876), p. 622.</ref>
In 1721, the castle passed into the hands of Captain Hugh Arbuthnot, cousin to John Kennedy of Baltersan. By the middle of the 18th century, the castle had become abandoned and remains so to the present day.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.castlesandmanorhouses.com/castlesforsale/baltersan/ | title=Castles and Manor Houses | publisher=Castles and Manor Houses | accessdate=24 March 2020}}</ref> left|thumb|Interior of Baltersan Castle The castle was featured in an episode of Dragons' Den in 2005 in which the owner presented his restoration plans and time share financing strategy.<ref name=bar/>
In August 2024, Baltersan was purchased for an undisclosed amount by Italian computer engineer Angelo Ovidi, who intends to restore the building and establish a music school and cultural center there.<ref name="newlaird">{{cite web | url=https://baltersan.scot/2024/11/16/baltersan-castle-welcomes-a-new-laird-and-a-bright-future/ | title=Baltersan Castle Welcomes a New Laird | publisher=Ebaltersan.scot | accessdate=16 January 2026}}</ref><ref name="thenational">{{cite web | url= https://www.thenational.scot/news/24729774.a-listed-scottish-castle-set-2-million-restoration-sale/ | title=A-listed Scottish castle set for £2 million restoration after sale | publisher=thenational.scot | accessdate=16 January 2026}}</ref>
==Description== The castle is a three-storey L-plan castle with an attic and garret. Its walls measure {{convert|4|ft|m|1}} in thickness. It has a vaulted ground floor and ashlar turrets on the northwestern and southeastern angles that are provided with gun loops.<ref name=can/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Baltersan Castle}} *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YrNVKYS62Q YouTube video of the Dragon's Den programme]
{{Castles in South Ayrshire}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Ruined castles in Scotland Category:Tower houses in Scotland