The Kilmarnock castle in Ayrshire is named after a wooded valley. The original rectangular keep remains separate from the later additions and is believed to date back to 1350. The palace was added around 1460 by the Boyd family and the castle was inhabited until it burned down in 1735. Much of the stonework survived the fire and after the 8th Lord Howard de Walden, Thomas Evelyn Ellis, inherited the castle in 1899, he spent the next several years restoring the property. The restoration of the keep was completed in 1908, while the rest of the castle renovations were not completed until the 1930's. In 1974, the 9th Lord de Walden and Seaford, the Right Honourable John Osmael Scott Ellis, gifted the castle and its collections to the people of Kilmarnock and the estate was opened to the public. Entrance to the park is free and includes guided tours of the castle. Tours of the castle are available daily, except when the castle is closed Mondays and Tuesdays from October through March. The Visitor Centre and Children's Corner are open year round and the Tea Room is open from April through October.
Dean Castle Country Park
Dean Road
Kilmarnock, Ayrshire KA3 1XB
Scotland
+44-01563-522702
deancastle.com
Located 12 miles south of Ayr, the castle is believed to have been standing since the 12th century. In 1775, the castle was renovated by architect Robert Adam for the 10th Earl of Cassilis. Adam incorporated the older sections into a grand mansion as well as remodeled the castle's interiors, home farm and stables. The castle was completed with the addition of the west wing in 1879. Featuring a dramatic cliff top location, the estate now is maintained by the National Trust for Scotland. The property grounds include walled and landscaped gardens, several restaurants, a playground and three miles of beaches. The grounds are open to the public year round, while sections of the castle are open for public tours from the end of March through the end of October. Offering panoramic views of the sea and the mountains of Arran, the six-bedroom Eisenhower apartment on the second floor of the castle is available for overnight accommodations. The castle also is available for rental for weddings and special events. Tickets are required for both the country park and the castle. Discounts are available for combination castle and park tickets as well as for family and children's tickets. Members of the National Trust of Scotland receive free admission by showing their current membership card.
Culzean Castle & Country Park
Maybole, Ayrshire KA19 8LE
Scotland
+44-1655-884455
culzeanexperience.org
The 13th century castle is located in Fairlie, Ayrshire and continues to be the home of the current Earl and his family, although the historic structure is open for public tours approximately six months every year. Formal gardens are situated on the grounds, and the Kelburn Glen includes waterfalls, deep gorges and scenic woodlands. The castle features views of the islands of Firth of Clyde and Great Cumbrae. The original Norman Keep, the oldest section of the structure, is believed to have been built by 1200. Norman Keep is enclosed within the larger castle structure that was completed in 1581 by the Laird, David Boyle. In 1977, the tenth Earl of Glasgow and his wife, Isabel, founded the Kelburn Country Centre, opening the majority of Kelburn's grounds and gardens to the public. In addition to the guided tours from Easter to October, the castle is available for holiday accommodations, banquets, weddings and conferences throughout the year. The grounds and an on-site horseback riding school are open all year. Reduced admission fees are offered during the winter and discounted rates are available for groups and schools throughout the year.
Kelburn Castle, Country Centre & Estate
Fairlie, Ayrshire KA29 0BE
Scotland
+44-1475-568595
kelburnestate.com
