Kelburn Castle facts for kids

Kelburn Castle is a large and historic house located near Fairlie in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is the home of the Earl of Glasgow family. The castle's oldest parts were built in the 13th century, and it has been changed and added to over hundreds of years.

Around 1700, the first Earl of Glasgow made big changes, making it look a bit like a French château (a large country house or castle). Today, Kelburn Castle is one of Scotland's oldest castles. It has been lived in by the same family for a very long time, longer than any other castle in Scotland!

In 1977, the castle and its beautiful grounds opened to the public as a country park. This means you can visit and explore it. The castle is officially protected as a special historic building, and its gardens are also recognized as important.

In 2007, something very unique happened. The castle's outer walls, which were covered in concrete, needed to be repaired. The owner, Lord Glasgow, decided to do something different. He invited four talented Brazilian graffiti artists to paint amazing designs on the castle walls. This colorful artwork was still there in 2011, and Lord Glasgow asked for permission to keep it permanently.

Castle History: A Journey Through Time

The Boyle family has owned the land where Kelburn Castle stands since the 12th century. Imagine that – over 800 years!

Building the Castle: From Wood to Stone

The castle is believed to have been first built in the 13th century. While we don't know the exact date, the castle was already there during the Battle of Largs in 1263. This battle was fought between the Scots and the Norwegians.

The very first structure was likely a wooden tower. This wooden tower was later replaced in the 1200s with a strong stone keep (a main tower of a castle). Parts of this original stone keep are still part of the castle today!

In the late 1500s, a new tower house was built. This replaced an older building and might have used some of its original stone. By the 1600s, there were lovely orchards and gardens around Kelburn.

Expanding the Castle: New Wings and Features

David Boyle (1666–1733) was an important person who became the first Earl of Glasgow in 1703. He started building a new part of the house, called the north-west wing, which was finished around 1722. He wanted to make the castle twice as big! He added a grand mansion-style house onto the castle. A famous builder named Thomson Caldwell helped him with this project.

Later, George Boyle, 6th Earl of Glasgow (1825–1890), added another part, the north-east wing, in 1880. This shows how the castle grew over many centuries.

The 7th Earl of Glasgow became the Governor of New Zealand in 1892. This created a special link between the Kelburn Estate in Scotland and a place called Kelburn in New Zealand. Many souvenirs he brought back are still at the castle and in its museum.

After the castle grounds opened to the public, the old estate buildings and stables were changed in 1980. They became a tea room, a shop, and a place for visitors to get information.

The Colorful Graffiti Project

In 2007, experts told the owners of Kelburn Castle that the concrete covering on its walls needed to be replaced. This was to protect the stone underneath. The children of Lord Glasgow had a brilliant idea! They suggested inviting four famous Brazilian graffiti artists to paint the walls. These artists were Nunca, Nina, and the twins Os Gêmeos.

Historic Scotland, the organization that protects historic places, agreed to the plan. But they said the graffiti would need to be removed when the castle walls were repaired. The project was so interesting that it was shown on a BBC television show called The Culture Show. Kelburn also appeared in another BBC show, Crisis at the Castle, which talked about the challenges of running such a big historic home.

In 2011, Lord Glasgow officially asked Historic Scotland for permission to keep the amazing graffiti as a permanent part of the castle.

A Small Fire at the Castle

On February 16, 2009, the castle had a small fire. It was caused by an electrical problem. Firefighters were called around 1:45 AM because flames were in a top-floor room and had spread to the roof. About 25 firefighters worked for over five hours to put out the fire, which was finally extinguished around 7:20 AM. Luckily, the damage was minor.

Kelburn Country Centre: Fun for Everyone

The 10th Earl of Glasgow, Patrick Boyle, and his family still live at Kelburn Castle. It was his idea to open the estate to the public in 1977. He helped turn the grounds and old buildings into fun play areas, a café, and a gift shop. You can also take tours inside the castle!

The grounds are open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM, from Easter until October. They have shorter hours during the winter months.

Outdoor Adventures and Play Areas

There are three exciting outdoor play areas to explore:

• The Secret Forest: This is a magical fairy tale trail that winds through the woods.
• The Wild Wild West Saloon: A fun area with a Western theme.
• The Adventure Course: A challenging course for active kids.

Events and Celebrations

Kelburn is well-known for its creative and fun events throughout the year. Many family-friendly activities are offered, focusing on outdoor, interactive, and creative fun. The team also hosts a spooky Halloween event, which is recommended for visitors aged 16 and over. You can find their full event calendar on their website.

The Kelburn Garden Party

Every July, the estate hosts a large music festival called The Kelburn Garden Party. It's a huge event with around 6,000 people! The festival has many stages and unique spaces throughout the magical glen and beautiful gardens around Kelburn Castle. It's packed with music, performances, art, and entertainment, creating a truly special and magical experience.

Weddings and Parties

The estate is also a popular place for weddings. There are five licensed spots where couples can exchange their vows and two places for receptions. The team at Kelburn also helps organize corporate events and parties.

Glamping and Camping: Stay Overnight!

If you want to stay longer, Kelburn offers different ways to sleep under the stars!

Yurts and Bell Tents

There are 8 cozy yurts available to rent at Kelburn (as of June 2020). These unique tents are located on a hillside campsite and offer amazing views over the Firth of Clyde and its islands. There's also a modern building with glass fronts that has toilets, showers, kitchen facilities, and seating for guests.

You can also rent bell tents, or even bring your own tent or camper van. More details about staying overnight can be found on their website.

The Kel Burn: A Natural Wonder

The "Kel burn" is a stream that has carved out the beautiful glen (a narrow valley) over thousands of years. In just over half a mile, this burn starts high up on the moors, more than 800 feet above the castle. It then drops dramatically towards the sea, creating many waterfalls and gorges along the way.

The glen is full of amazing wild flowers, ferns, shrubs, and trees. Walks up the glen offer stunning views across Largs, the Firth of Clyde, and even over to the Isle of Arran.

Images for kids

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  Kelburn Castle in 1994

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  Kelburn Castle in Spring