The south-west of Scotland has many castles worthy of further exploration and a visit. The once imposing sea-fortress of Turnberry Castle was built into the rocky Carrick coastline,with commanding views over the North Chanel, the Firth of Clyde, Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran.

The castle was the caput of the Earldom of Carrick, and Robert I, King of Scots (1306-29) was born here in the summer of 1274. During the winter of 1307 Bruce landed beside the castle with an assembled fleet of 33 birlinns to find his ancestral home occupied by English forces commanded by Henry Percy. The occupying garrison was attacked and Bruce's biographer, John Barbour wrote in 1375 that, 'In the castle the lord Percy heard clearly the noise and the shouts, as did the men who were inside, and, pretty frightened, they put on their gear. But none of them was so bold that he would go out into the noise.'

Bruce and his men failed to retake the castle, moving inland in Carrick to collect rents, before eventually moving further inland to the safety of the Galloway Hills, and Glen Trool. Bruce adopted a policy of 'slighting,' castles during the Wars of Independence (1296-1328) and in 1310, on his orders, Turnberry was slighted to prevent further use by occupying forces. Many contemporary accounts state that the castle was never rebuilt, however, by 1328 Bruce's young son, David Bruce and his household were installed in the castle.

Centuries of harsh weather and erosion have reclaimed much of the original fortification, although much of the lower building work is still visible. The ruins are listed as a scheduled monument and require great care and caution to explore safely, with numerous steep drops towards the sea. The remains are best viewed at low-tide from the beach below, and from there you will see remains of the sea-gate, fortified walls, vaulted arches and more.

During the summer I walked a section of the Ayrshire Coastal Path in a loop from Girvan to Turnberry, had lunch in a sea-cave below the ruins before walking back to Girvan. With long sweeping beaches, stunning panoramic views of the coast and tons of wildlife, and history, it's a route I'd highly recommend.

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