Eglinton Castle is now a ruin following evacuation of the building due to financial distress in the 1920s and subsequent use of the structure for target practice by the British Army in WW2.

Here is a brief history of the aristocratic line:

Sir John Montgomerie, Tenth Earl of Eagleshame and 2nd of Eglinton and Ardrossan 1398-1429.

Sacrificed himself as a hostage to facilitate release of James I from English.

Alexander, First Lord of Montgomerie 1429-1470

Held several important positions and was created lord Montgomerie by James II in 1441.

Alexander, Second Lord Montgomerie 1470-1483

Remained loyal to Stewart dynasty in turbulent times.

Third Earl of Eglinton accompanied Mary Queen of Scots from France to Scotland in 1561. Defeated at Battle of Langside

Hugh, First Earl of Eglinton 1483-1545

Fought against James III at Sauchieburn. Rewarded by James IV with new title.

Hugh, Second Earl of Eglinton 1545-1546

Supporter of the Stewart dynasty.

Hugh, Third Earl of Eglinton 1546-1585

Supporter of Mary Queen of Scots but acknowledged James VI

Hugh, Fourth Earl of Eglinton 1585-1586

Murdered by the Cunninghames in context of long-running feud.

Hugh, Fifth Earl of Eglinton 1586-1612

Granted Barony of Kilwinning by James VI

Alexander, Sixth Earl of Eglinton 1612-1661.

Sir Alexander Seton, cousin of Fifth Earl succeeded to title. Became a Privy Councillor. Signed National Covenant.

Hugh, Seventh Earl of Eglinton 1661-1669

Lands forfeited under Cromwell's rule and imprisoned by English.

Alexander, Eighth Earl of Eglinton 1669-1701

Family lands were restored in 1660, he lived in Yorkshire and passed estate to his son.

Alexander, Ninth Earl of Eglinton 1701-1729

Controlled family lands for 53 years. Peer in London and Privy Councillor.

Alexander, Tenth Earl of Eglinton 1729-1769

Succeeded to title at age 6. Became a good custodian of family estates.

Archibald, Eleventh Earl of Eglinton 1769-1796

Succeeded to title on brother's murder. A military man, he led the 78th Regiment of Highlanders during Seven Years War 1756-1763. Became a politician on return from the military.

Hugh, Twelfth Earl of Eglinton 1796-1819

Died without a son and title passed to the Montgomeries' Coilsfield branch. Age 57 when succeeded to the title. Increased family debts via investments in industrial projects.

Archibald, Thirteenth Earl of Eglinton 1819-1861

Knight of the Thistle but spent extravagantly during early years.

Archibald, fourteenth Earl of Eglinton 1861-1892

Ailing family fortunes aggravated by collapse of the Glasgow Bank in 1878

George Arnulph, Fifteenth Earl of Eglinton 1892-1919

Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire. Unable to halt decline in family fortunes.

Archibald Seton Montgomerie.

Failing finances forced removal from Eglinton Castle which subsequently became a ruin as per video below.

Labels: montgomery

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:20 PM