a long-standing family feud between the cassillis and the kennedy clan, which started in hugh kennedy's era, ended in 1601 with the murder of the last baron of bargany and ardstinchar. jean stewart, the widow of bargany, who had been a lady in waiting to anne of denmark, stayed on at ardstinchar and resisted an attempt to evict her in 1603. she died in 1605. the family fortunes were lost, and the estate was bought by sir john hamilton of letterick, son of the 1st marquis of hamilton. by 1770, the castle had fallen into disrepair and was quarried to provide stone for the construction of a three-arch bridge over the river stinchar, as well as several houses and an inn in ballantrae, now the king's arms hotel.