Copyright notice:  Links to this site are welcomed.  However none of the material on the site may be duplicated in any form.  The copyright of the articles is the property of the authors.  Copyright of the web pages is the property of David McClure.

From Claire Brittenden, 17 April 2006: Looking for more info on the Millers of Monk Castle, also I think they were associated with Dumfies Castle. Also would like to be able to see a picture of Monk Castle.

From David McClure: See Ayrshire & Arran: an illustrated historical guide by Rob Close (RIAS, 1992), 89 (information but no photograph).

From Julie Spielman, 7 September 2006: Below is a summary of the Miller family, who resided at Monk Castle from 1723 until at least the mid-1850’s. I have also attached two photos, taken by a family member in 1964, which from the information written on the back of the photos are of the original Monk Castle and of “Monk House”, the family residence constructed in 1820. This building is not listed in the Inventory of William Campbell Miller, but may be under another name. I would be very interested to learn more of the history of Monk Castle and the Miller Family, and would be happy to provide more details from my own research to others.

The Miller Family of Monk Castle

The lands of Monk Castle and Craigmill, which were formerly part of the monastery of Kilwinning, were purchased in 1723 by Alexander Miller, a merchant and burgess of Glasgow. Alexander died shortly after, and the property passed to his elder brother, William. William Miller married Jean Nimmo of Bridgehouse in Linlithgow in 1727, acquiring through this marriage Netherhill House, in the parish of Torpichen. He died in 1757 at the age of 97, leaving two sons. The estate passed to the elder son, William, who in 1773 married Agnes Cunninghame, daughter of George Cuninghame of Monkredding. Agnes inherited one third of the estate of Monkredding when her brother, Fergusson Cuninghame, died without heir.On William’s death in 1802, he was succeeded by his only child, William Alexander Miller (known as Alexander). Alexander Miller married (Miss!) William Warner, daughter of Patrick Warner of Ardeer, and had nine children. He died in 1828, and was succeeded by his eldest son, William.William Miller was born in 1801. He was a member of the Faculty of Advocates, a commissioner of supply in Ayr, and provincial grand master of the Freemasons in Ayr. He married Anna Maria Campbell in 1830 and had three sons and two daughters. The two older sons died young, and upon the death of
William Miller in 1846, the estate passed to his youngest son, William Campbell Miller. William Campbell died intestate at the age of fifteen in 1857.

I have no further information concerning the disposition of the Monk Castle estates. William Campbell was survived by his mother and at least one of his two sisters. At the time of his death his town residence was Saxe Coburg Hall, Edinburgh, and the following properties were listed in the inventory of his estate:

Baidlandhill and Windyedge in the parish of Dalry.
Hill of Fergushill, Kilwinning parish
Craighead, Craighead Mill
High Monkcastle, Low Monkcastle,
Hillend, Mansion House Grange, Cottages at Old House,
Crofthead, Heatterhill, Bannock and Monkridden House.

above: Monk Castle, 1964 (image provided by Julie Spielman)

above: Monk House, 1964 (image provided by Julie Spielman)