Barony and Castle of Giffen
The Barony of Giffen and its associated 15th-century castle were in the parish of Beith in the former District of Cunninghame, now North Ayrshire. The site may be spelled Giffen or Giffin and lay within the Lordship of Giffin, which included the Baronies of Giffen, Trearne, Hessilhead, Broadstone, Roughwood and Ramshead; valued at £3,788 9s 10d. The Barony of Giffen comprised a number of properties, including Greenhills, Thirdpart, Drumbuie, Nettlehirst and Balgray, covering about half of the parish of Beith. Giffen was a hundred merk land, separated from the Barony of Beith, a forty-pound land, by the Powgree Burn which rises on Cuff hill. The Lugton Water or the Bungle Burn running through Burnhouse may have been the Giffen barony boundary with that of the adjacent barony and lands of Aiket castle.
| Giffen Castle | |
|---|---|
| Barrmill, North Ayrshire, Scotland UK grid reference NS377507 | |
Giffen castle in 1835 with the buildings of Mains of Giffen visible to the right-hand side | |
Giffen Castle | |
| Coordinates | 55.7229°N 4.5849°W |
| Height | 40ft |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Giffen Mains Farm |
| Controlled by | Montgomery clan |
| Open to the public | Private |
| Condition | No clear remains |
| Site history | |
| Built | 15th century |
| In use | Until 18th century |
| Materials | stone |
Giffen has a recorded history that covers many familiar aspects of a feudal barony, including the possession of a moot hill or justice hill, here represented by 'Greenhills', as well as a thirled mill and a 'gathering place' known as the 'Borestone'. Other features such as the old chapel and the holy well add to the expected features, most of which no longer survive.