When did the stronghold of the Boyd Family begin to be built?
Sir Thomas Boyd Sir Thomas Boyd of Kilmarnock was a 14th-century Scottish landowner and lord of Kilmarnock in Ayrshire. He was the son of Sir Robert Boyd, who fought at the Battle of Bannockburn. In 1346, he was taken prisoner at the battle of Neville's Cross. He is known for building the earliest parts of Dean Castle in around 1350, and the castle still stands today and is open to the public. Sir Thomas was succeeded by his son, Thomas (died 1432). Sir Thomas' later descendants were the Earls of Kilmarnock.
Castle of Rattray The Castle of Rattray was a medieval Scottish castle, with multiple variations on its structure over approximately six centuries. Originally built as a ""late 12th- or early 13th century defensive motte"" it provided protection for Starny Keppie harbour and Rattray village. Sometime between 1214 and 1233 it was upgraded by William Comyn, jure uxoris Earl of Buchan before being destroyed in the 1308 Harrying of Buchan. After Comyn's timber castle was burned down it was replaced by a stronger stone castle which was engulfed during a 1720 sand storm along with nearby Rattray village. After the storm, the castle was not dug out and remains covered to this day. The castle was described by W. Douglas Simpson as one of the nine castles of the Knuckle, referring to the rocky headland of north-east Aberdeenshire.