Castle Kennedy
Castle Kennedy is about three miles west of Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, in south-west Scotland. The castle overlooks the White and Black Lochs (originally the castle was on an island and the present-day lochs were one area of water). Castle Kennedy has 75 acres of landscaped gardens, with terraces and avenues. There is a large collection of rhododendrons and azaleas and many specimen trees. The current landowner (the Earl of Stair) lives in the nearby Lochinch Castle.
The castle was built in 1607 by John Kennedy, 5th Earl of Cassillis. The castle passed to the Sir James Dalrymple of Stair in 1677. His son, John the 2nd Viscount Stair, signed the orders that resulted in the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692. The 3rd Viscount began the construction of the gardens which are a feature of the estate today. The castle burned down in 1716 and was never re-occupied.