If you grew up in Scotland, you may remember heading to Loudoun Castle at one point or another when you were a kid.
Set around the ruins of the 19th century Loudoun Castle near Galston in Ayrshire, the theme park was a popular summer holiday spot among Scots families when it opened in 1995. The castle itself dates back to the 12th century and is believed to have once been the home of William Wallace's great grandparents.
The castle burned down in 1941 and lay abandoned for decades until the 1990s when the grounds were converted into the park. Advertising itself as "Scotland's best family theme park", Loudoun Castle was home to a number of roller coasters and attractions for thrillseekers.
Visitors who spent a day at the park during its peak in the 1990s and early 2000s will very likely have fond memories of their time there — and may even remember the park's mascot Rory the Lion.
Among the most popular rides were the Barnstormer — a 140-foot-tall drop tower — and the Twist n’ Shoutlooping speed roller coaster that took visitors upside down. Elsewhere in the park sat the Plough, which at the time was the largest Chair-O-Plane ride in the world.
While it was initially a popular destination, over time visitor numbers began to fall from their peak in 1997. Combined with the regular addition of new attractions, this left the park in a dangerous position financially.
A few years later, on July 15, 2007, Loudoun Castle was hit by tragedy when 18-year-old ride operator Mark Blackwood sadly lost his life while carrying out work on the Rat roller coaster. This was followed by a two-week trial in which the park owners were found not guilty of failing to provide proper training and supervision.
With the terrible incident severely damaging the park's reputation, visitor numbers continued to drop. Eventually, in September 2010, Loudoun Castle closed its gates to the public for good — though owner Henk Bembom stated at the time that the park was not closing due to the death of Mark Blackwood.
In the years that followed, many of the former rides at the park were put up for sale, including the Twist 'n' Shout, Goldrush, Barnstormer, Wacky Worm, Crows Nest, and Jammy Dodgems.
In 2014, plans were submitted for an ambitious regeneration of Loudoun Castle grounds, including new homes, indoor sports facilities, a tropical water park, and a distillery, though these were rejected by the local council and the Scottish Government.
Today, the grounds are private property, and the owners have said it should not be entered due to its dilapidated state—though a few of the rides can be seen from a distance.
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