Inside the abandoned Scottish amusement park with a tragic history

dailyrecord.co.uk:

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.