Description:

The name "Dunure" or "Dunoure" refers to its Celtic origins, with meanings such as "hill" or "fort of the yew tree." Such terms conjure up visions of an ancient stronghold, possibly predating the documented history. The castle's origins are murky, with rumours of Norse craftsmanship borne by the sea air, but actual evidence dates its foundation to the late 13th century. The first documented reference is a 1256 land charter, indicating the site's early importance.

As we go into the 14th century, the story of Dunure Castle becomes intertwined with that of the ambitious Kennedys, a tribe whose ambitions matched the towering Scottish Highlands. They claimed sovereignty of Dunure, transforming it from a speculative Norse outpost to a strong fortification. This was the beginning of a historic entwinement that would affect the fate of both the clan and the castle for decades.