Blairquhan Castle/Mansion is situated about 16 miles southeast of Ayr next to the small scenic village of Straiton. The castle can be visited in summer months when not booked for weddings, holidays or film shoots. For information on visiting Blairquhan, visit the website www.blairquhan.co.uk/. The area around Straiton has some of the best hill walking in Ayrshire.

Crossraguel Abbey is situated about one and a half miles south of Maybole, 10 miles south of Ayr next to the A77. The abbey and the adjacent Kennedy Baltersan Tower have some connections through history. Duncan the Earl of Carrick founded Crossraguel around 1244 after he donated money to monks of Paisly to build the abbey on this site. More history of the abbey can be found at www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk. Crossraguel is open to the public from 1st April – 30th September 09.00-18.30 with an entrance fee of about £2.20 for adults and 75p for children.

Dalquharran Castle was designed by Robert Adam for Thomas Kennedy while also redesigning Culzean Castle for David Kennedy. Work to convert this castle ruin to a hotel and the estate into a championship standard golf course is expected to begin soon. The two castles at Dalquharran are situated 16 miles southeast of Ayr next to the small village of Dailly. You can visit the castles by parking in Dailly then walk through the field in front of the castles (as seen right) then cross the river by footbridge. For more information on Dalquharran, visit the website sites.scran.ac.uk/ada/dalquharran/.

Dundonald Castle was built for Robert 11 (grandson of Robert the Bruce) on his accession to the throne of Scotland in 1371. The castle is situated on a hilltop in the centre of the small village Dundonald. There is a car park and visitor centre below the castle that provides information and snacks. The centre and grounds around the castle are open free of charge 10.00-17.00 1st April-31st October. Guided tours of inside the castle can be arranged at the visitors centre for a small fee. The official website for the castle is www.dundonaldcastle.org.uk .

Dunure Castle was built in the 1300s for the Kennedy’s (Earls of Cassillis). Dunure was one of the first seats of this family that became the largest landowners in South Ayrshire. The castle is situated on the outskirts of the small village of Dunure about 6 miles south of Ayr on the A719 scenic coastal road. There is a car park and play area next to the castle. There is also a traditional Scottish pub at the harbour for meals or drinks. More history and photos of the castle can be found at www.maybole.org/history/sketches/spratt/dunure.htm.

Greenan Castle was built for John Kennedy of Baltersan in 1603. The castle is situated on the south side of Ayr Beach. A large car park nearby makes this a popular walk along the beach past the castle towards Craig Tara Holiday Park. More information and photos for Greenan can be found at www.maybole.org/history/sketches/spratt/greenan.htm .

Kilwinning Abbey was built for Huge de Morville in the 1100s. The tower completed in 1816 is open to the public.

The Abbey Tower Heritage Centre is open Mid May until Mid September, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm - 3pm.. Access at any other times may be had by phoning Jim Miller on 01294 558 352.

The abbey situated in Kilwinning town centre can be easily found as it rises high above the surrounding buildings. More history and photos of the abbey can be found at www.kilwinning.org/abbey/ .

The ruins of Lochranza Castle are situated near the centre of Lochranza village on the north coast of the Island of Arran. The earliest parts of the castle were built in the mid 1200s for the MacSweens. In 1262, it was granted by Alexander III to Walter Stewart (Earl of Menteith).

It is believed Robert the Bruce landed at this spot on his return from Ireland in 1306 as he began his successful campaign to become king of Scotland. The castle was later owned by his grandson when he became King Robert II of Scotland in 1371. The following years saw it used as a royal hunting lodge.

During the 1490s, Lochranza Castle was used as a base from which James IV could attack the MacDonalds (Lords of the Isles). James VI took control of the castle in 1614 and the English Parliamentarian leader Cromwell took control in the1650s. The last owners, the Hamiltons, acquired the castle in 1705.

Loch Doon Castle was built in the 1200s for Robert the Earl of Carrick. Robert the Bruce’s father gained control of this castle and Turnberry Castle in 1271 after marrying the widow Marjorie (Countess of Carrick). The castle was originally situated on a small island in the middle of Loch Doon. The ruins were rebuilt at the side of the loch in the 1930s to allow the loch to be used as a water reservoir. To visit this scenic area, take the A713 east of Dalmelington and follow signs for the hill road leading to Loch Doon. More history of these castles can be found at www.maybole.org/history/sketches/spratt/lochdoon.htm www.maybole.org/history/sketches/spratt/turnberry.htm.

Maybole Castle is situated next to Maybole High Street. The earliest parts of the castle were built as a townhouse for the Kennedy’s (Earls of Cassillis). The main tower is dated to around 1560 and additions that give its present day look to 1812. Maybole Castle is now the headquarters of a Community Council training company. The castle can be visited with a tea room and local heritage centre in the castle opening soon. There is a car park behind the shops opposite the castle. View the website for the castle at www.maybole.org/places/maybolecastle/.

Portencross Castle (Tower) is built on lands originally owned by the Ross Clan. The Ross’s supported John de Baliol in the feuds with Robert the Bruce. After Bruce defeated Baliol, he awarded these lands to his loyal supporters the Boyds of Kilmarnock. Robert Boyd had this castle built in the early 1400s to protect and make use of the small harbour here. There is a scenic seaside car park about one hundred yards from the castle to allow visits to the ruins. Signposts on the A78 less than one mile north of Seamill direct you to the castle. More history on Portencross can be found at www.clanboyd.info/history/portencross.

Sorn Castle overlooking the River Ayr is situated 4 miles east of Mauchline next to the B743. The earliest parts of this castle were built in the early 1400s for the Hamilton’s. Although Sorn is a sporting estate most of the year, fishing /shooting, the castle is open to the public for four weeks each year, 2006 from Sat July 15th - Sat August 12th /1400 - 1600. For enquiries contact Mrs R.G. McIntyre by phoning 01290 551 555.

Country Parks

Brodick

Brodick Castle and grounds situated about 3 miles north of Brodick on the Isle of Arran are open all year round from 09.00 till sunset with an entrance fee of £6 for adults and £4.50 for children. Inserting Brodick Castle in the search engine of the National Trust for Scotland website at www.nts.org.uk/ gives a few links to the castle. Click on image to enlarge.

Culzean

Culzean Country Park situated about 12 miles south of Ayr is open all year round with parts of the castle open to the public from 1st April - October 31st 10.30 - 17.00. There are also the Eisenhower apartments in the castle that are available for holidays. Prices for entry to the park and castle are about £23 for a family or for just the park £13.50 per family. For a full list of prices, opening times and information on the Eisenhower apartments visit the website www.aboutbritain.com/CulzeanCastle.htm. Click on image to enlarge.

Dean

Dean Castle&Country Park situated to the north of Kilmarnock centre is easiest found by entering Kilmarnock off the A77 at the junction leading to the B7038 (farthest northeast entrance to Kilmarnock). Signs from the roundabout at the large Howard Park Hotel lead to the estate. Entrance to the park is free including guided tours of the castle that are available every day from 12.15 - 16.15 each hour April - September. The Visitor Centre & Children's Corner are open 11.00 - 17.00 summer and 11.00 - 16.00 winter. For enquiries phone 01563 554 701 or view the website for the park at www.deancastle.com. Click on image to enlarge.

Eglinton

Eglinton Country Park situated about one mile northeast of Irvine is open to the public free of charge all year round. Eglinton estate along with the town of Ardrossan passed from the Eglinton’s to the Montgomery’s though marriage in the 1300s. The Montgomery’s were forced to abandon Eglinton Castle and estate in 1929 after loosing all their money building Ardrossan Harbour. The castle soon fell into disrepair and was later used as target practice for tanks during World War Two. Click on image to enlarge.

Kelburn

Kelburn Castle situated about one mile south of Largs has views over the Firth of Clyde and island of Great Cumbrae. The castle is run separate from the country centre as it is used for holiday accommodation, banquets, weddings and conferences. There are good views of the castle from the country centre. The centre is open from Easter to the end of October with a charge of £7 for adults and £4.50 for children/concessions. A family ticket is £22. Visit the website for Kelburn Country Centre at www.kelburncastle.com. Click on image to enlarge.

Loudoun

Loudoun Castle is situated 5 miles northeast of Kilmarnock next to the town of Galston. The park offers a roller coaster, go karts, falconry, log flume and many more rides. Prices per day tend to vary throughout the year. The rides are free after paying to enter. For more information on the park, concession and family prices, visit the website at www.loudouncastle.co.uk. Click on image to enlarge.