Haunted by the ghost of William Wallace and the legacy of Sir Fergus Barclay, Ardrossan Castle is a site of significant Scottish cultural heritage. William Wallace won a great victory at this Ayrshire castle. He allegedly stacked the bodies of defeated English Soldiers in the cellar, giving rise to the myth of Wallace’s Larder.[1] Still, despite Wallace’s wandering soul and gruesome acts, it is perhaps the legend and legacy of Sir Fergus Barclay that troubles castle conservationists the most. A wily character, Barclay outfoxed the devil, reclaiming his soul despite a Faustian pact. Enraged, Satan transformed into a great horse and smashed Ardrossan Castle to pieces.[2] Conserving these ruins has proved a problem ever since. Until now. Advances in thermography are finally revealing the secrets of this castle, making it easier for the Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society to conserve its ruins and mystery for future generations.
Quick Links
- Thermal Imaging Detects Water Ingress in Walls
- How Can We Protect World Heritage Sites Using Thermography?
- Further Information
Thermal Imaging Detects Water Ingress in Walls
Angry ghosts and the watchful eye of Lucifer pale in comparison to the very tangible threat facing Ardrossan Castle: water damage.
Working together on a community-led study, the University of the West of Scotland and Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society used a £3000 thermal camera and free thermography software to survey the ancient ruins for water ingress.[3]
Thermal imaging proved a success for the Ardrossan Castle team as researchers and conservationists discovered potentially detrimental damp inside the stone walls of the north-east tower. This moisture was invisible to the naked eye and could only be detected by measuring and visualising heat differences across the stone wall.
Reveal Hidden Moisture & Prevent Damp in Your Home, Palace, or Castle
Thermal Cameras Critical to Preserve National Heritage
Ardrossan Castle is just one example of how this invisible threat is damaging our national heritage. Built centuries ago, castles and ruins have been subject to protracted weathering. Surface erosion allows water to penetrate deep into the fabric of structures. As a result, it’s even more difficult to spot damp or moisture damage than it would be in a modern property.
Undetected moisture is one of the greatest threats to national heritage sites. It can enter historic properties through the ground, by rain penetration, or condensation. If left untreated, water ingress may lead to the growth of mould and algae. Furthermore, as water is a solvent, it facilitates the transmission of salts within the building material, which can negatively affect freezing and thawing cycles, causing further structural damage.
However, given that wet areas generally retain less heat than dry stone, thermal cameras allow teams to pinpoint previously invisible damp spots. This is because, on a heat map, damp spots appear colder (usually denoted by a darker colour, such as blue) than their surroundings. As such, conservationists and researchers can see moisture problems that are typically difficult or impossible to spot with the naked eye. Identifying these issues at an earlier stage means they can be addressed sooner, thereby increasing the likelihood of conservation success and potentially reducing costs. Dr Michael Bowry, a spectroscopy specialist and physics lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland, who was involved in the project, explains just that:
“Moisture is one of the biggest threats to historic buildings. By identifying these issues early, we can prevent long-term damage and save important sites like Ardrossan Castle for future generations.”[4]
Photograph from Claire Lindsay, ‘UWS thermal imaging study to help protect Ardrossan Castle', Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, last accessed 08 September 2025.
Uncover Hidden Threats to Protect Your Property & Save Money
How Can We Protect World Heritage Sites Using Thermography?
Many historic sites across the UK face the same continuous battle against the elements as Ardrossan Castle. Thermography provides a new and effective strategy for tackling water ingress but it also offers other advantages besides damp detection. Researchers were able to discern clues about the construction of Ardrossan Castle by examining the subtle differences in how ancient lime mortar and stone reacted to temperature changes. Thermography also enabled the team to assess structural weathering. Information revealed by thermographic technology may prove useful for conservation both of Ardrossan Castle and other historic sites, as Dr Bowry points out:
“These techniques could also provide a way for other conservation groups to monitor historic sites using commercially available equipment.”[5]
Photograph from Claire Lindsay, ‘UWS thermal imaging study to help protect Ardrossan Castle', Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, last accessed 08 September 2025.
Preserve History, Culture & Legacy
Researchers are hopeful that the Ardrossan Castle project might serve as a blueprint for future community-driven conservation programs. They are optimistic that ventures like this one will increase local engagement with heritage sites, while decreasing the cost of conservation. Sentiments shared by the chair of the Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society, Alison Montgomery:
“Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society were delighted to work with Dr Bowry and Dr Simpson [from the University of the West of Scotland] on this valuable community learning project and are proud to see our efforts being recognised in this new publication within the Archaeological Prospection journal.
We believe partnership projects such as ours, that link local communities with academic researchers, have the potential to drive community regeneration efforts by upskilling local volunteers alongside making valuable contributions to science.
We are eager to see other heritage organisations use this inexpensive technology.”[6]
Thermal Imaging Cameras for Moisture Detection
Hikmicro MiniE Infrared Phone Thermal Imager with Type-C (25Hz)
Hikmicro Mini2/Mini2 Plus V2 Thermal Imaging Camera for Smartphones
Further Information
If there are angry ghosts in your life that you need to appease, or perhaps you know of a castle (whether literal or your home) that needs examining for water ingress, then contact our Sales team on 01642 931 329 or via our online form for more advice on which thermal camera can save you time, money, and worry.
In the meantime, please browse our eclectic range of thermal imaging cameras – your first step to discovering and protecting against damp.
Defend Your Castle Against Moisture Invasion
Footnotes
[1] Information about Wallace’s Larder sourced from:
- BBC Glasgow and West Scotland, Halloween happenings in your area, last accessed 08 September 2025.
- Folklore Scotland, William Wallace and Ardrossan Castle, last accessed 08 September 2025.
- Mysterious Britain & Ireland, Ardrossan Castle, last accessed 08 September 2025.
[2] Information about Sir Fergus Barclay, the De’il of Ardrossan, sourced from:
- Folklore Scotland, The De’il of Ardrossan, last accessed 08 September 2025.
- Mysterious Britain & Ireland, Ardrossan Castle, last accessed 08 September 2025.
[3] Information for this blog was sourced from:
- Claire Lindsay, ‘UWS thermal imaging study to help protect Ardrossan Castle', Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, last accessed 08 September 2025.
- University of the West of Scotland, New Study Shows How Thermal Imaging Can Help Protect Scotland’s Heritage, last accessed 08 September 2025.
[4] Claire Lindsay, ‘UWS thermal imaging study to help protect Ardrossan Castle’.
[5] Claire Lindsay, ‘UWS thermal imaging study to help protect Ardrossan Castle’.
[6] Claire Lindsay, ‘UWS thermal imaging study to help protect Ardrossan Castle’.
