Dalmusternock, East Ayrshire

Dalmusternock
Fenwick, East Ayrshire, Scotland UK grid reference NS455417
Dalmusternock Farm
Dalmusternock
Coordinates	55°38′39″N 4°27′19″W / 55.6441°N 4.4554°W / 55.6441; -4.4554
Site information
Owner	Private
Controlled by	Mure family
Open to the public	No
Condition	Occupied
Site history
Built	17th century
Built by	Mures
In use	Remodelled in the 19th century
Materials	stone

Dalmusternock (NS455417) was a dower house built and occupied by William Mure after his marriage and prior to inheriting the family seat of Rowallan Castle. The property is located near Fenwick, in the Barony of Rowallan, lying 3 miles north of Kilmarnock and 18 miles south of Glasgow, Parish of Fenwick, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The estate is recorded as Dalmunsternoch circa 1654; Dalmasternock circa 1747; Dalmusterknok 1775

In 1615 the poet Sir William Mure of Rowallan Castle married Anna Dundas, the daughter of the laird of Newliston, an estate located near Edinburgh. William was the son of Elizabeth Montgomerie, sister of the well known poet Alexander Montgomerie of Hessilhead Castle near Beith. In 1643 William Mure was a member of the Scottish parliament through which the Solemn League and Covenant was ratified with England and took part in the English campaign of 1644. He fought and was wounded at the Battle of Marston Moor, shortly after commanding a regiment at Newcastle.

As a first home or dower house he built Dalmusternock in 1615 for although he was the eldest son he had not as yet inherited the family properties and would not do so until 1639. Dalmusternock is in an attractive location on the Fenwick Water within easy reach of the family seat at Rowallan Castle. The coat of arms of Sir William and his wife are still located above the entrance door. The 1615 date of his marriage is carved on a stone to the right of the doorway with the initials A. D. for his wife Anna Dundas on a stone to the left.

Five sons and six daughters came of this first marriage, namely William who succeeded, Captain Allexander who was killed fighting rebels in Ireland, Major Robert who married Lady Newhall in Fife, John of Fenwickhill and Patrick, who in 1662 was created a baronet of Nova Scotia. Only one daughter, Elizabeth, reached maturity and married Uchter Knox, Laird of Ranfurly. His first wife Anna died comparatively young and Sir William then married Dame Jane Hamilton, Lady Duntreth, having two sons, James and Hugh and two daughters, Jeane and Marion from this union.