The Pele Tower was probably built in the mid-thirteenth century, contructed in local sandstone it replaced a timber fortress. A fine barrel-vaulted roof supports the  foundation of the huge weight of stone above. In times of danger the ground  floor room was used for storage for food and the animals, it also had a well.

The Old Hall served  as the main living room until the Great Hall was added in the 16th. century  by John Hunter, 14th Laird. It is complemented by a very fine set of staghorn furniture from Bavaria.

The Old Hall now opens into the Great Hall. The most notable feature of this room is the  handsome fireplace with a fine carving of the Hunter Coat of Arms.

A spiral staricase leads from the Old Hall to the bedroom above, in which all the immediate Hunter family would have slept. In was in this room that Robert Caldwell  Hunter was born in 1799. In that year his parents commenced the building  of Hunterston House.

At the top of the  Pele tower is a garret and parapet, this is now reached by a spiral stone stairway. When the Castle was built there would have been a wooden ladder  for access.

Hunterston Castle  is unique in that it has its original roof beams with the carpenters marks  clearly visible. The roof beams are a excellent example of medieval carpentry, constructed with mortice and tenon joints secured with pegs.

The parapet is narrow  to assist with defence as the early Hunters used crossbows for defending  the Castle. The south wall has a machicolation to make defending the front door easier. The front door was on the first floor at this time in common  with other Castles of this time

Visiting the Castle

Hunterston Castle is open to Hunter Clan members only by appointment.

The general public may view Hunterston Castle on its annual open day which is advertised  widely.