The origins of the family can be traced back to the reign of King David I (1094-1153) when Richard de Morvelle was High Constable of Scotland and from whom James de Loudoun, son of Lambinus obtained a charter of the lands and barony of Loudoun.

An earlier medieval castle called 'Arclowdun', about a mile to the East, was occupied for many years. During a bitter family feud Arclowdun was sacked by the Kennedys of Culzean. The Castle was rebuilt on its present site and the central tower of Loudoun Castle dates from the early 1400's.

The present castle was built for Flora, Countess of Loudoun to encompass both the 17th century extension and the 15th century keep.

One estimate suggests that the "improvements" to Loudoun Castle between 1804 and 1811 cost over £100,000 - over £3,500,000 in today's money. It is considered that James and Robert Adam and particularly Archibald Elliot were influential in the architectural work.

The massive structure, known as The Windsor of Scotland, had over 90 apartments and was dominated by the main tower of which now, one solitary corner remains dramatically in place as an eerie monument to its builders. History has it that drafts of the Treaty of Union of 1707 were discussed under the Auld Yew Tree in the gardens.

The Great Fire

On the night of the fire, 1st December 1941, the family comprising the Countess Edith, her daughters and infant granddaughter Sheena, were sleeping in their rooms under the first floor library. Heating was by coal and log fires and it is thought that burning resin came back down the library chimney setting the wooden floor alight.

The family awoke to the frightening sound of the raging fire above them, fled to what is now the Estate House, and since that day no other member of the family has slept in the Castle.