Strathaven was originally built around Strathaven Castle - also known as Avondale Castle. The castle dates from the 14th century although it is widely believed that it replaced an earlier wooden structure. As the castle was uninhabited from the 18th century, it fell into ruin, although it was landscaped and renovated to a degree by the local district council and development agency in 1993.

During the period of the covenanters, the castle housed various troops of soldiers. It also served as a prison for some of the captured covenanters, two of whom were executed at the castle.

A plaque outside the castle serves as a reminder that matrimonial disharmony can have serious consequences. It reads:-

"According to tradition, the wife of a past lord so greatly displeased her husband that she was walled up alive in part of the Castle wall. Nothing is recorded of her crime, yet it is said that she was led into a small purpose-built niche, blessed by a priest, given some food and water, and then walled up forever. When a portion of the walls fell down in the middle of the 19th Century human bones were discovered, giving some credence to this story."

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