The barely recognisable remains of one of the castles of Robert the Bruce – and possibly his birthplace – lie under and around a restored 19th century lighthouse, on a golf course, on a dramatic headland with views across the sea to Ailsa Craig. The castle, probably 13th century, was the seat of the Earls of Carrick, before that a stronghold of the Lords of Galloway and came into the hands of the de Brus family through marriage. The legend is that Marjorie, the widowed Countess of Carrick, held the visiting knight Robert de Brus captive until he agreed to marry her. Robert the Bruce probably spent his childhood there and it was a significant place, captured by the English and believed to have been wrecked on Bruce’s orders, to prevent the English using it again.
The lighthouse was built in 1873 to warn ships of the treacherous Bistro Rock. The light is now automated and in 2016 part of it was converted into a golf cafe and luxurious two-bedroom apartment by the Trump Organisation, which – famously – owns the golf course. There’s not much to see or do – unless you can afford to stay at the lighthouse or are playing golf – but it is a fascinating walk. Park by the entrance to Turnberry Lighthouse and walk across the golf course. Also see the aviation memorial and the remains of RAF Turnberry’s runways.