Kilkerran House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kilkerran House |
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Looking towards Kilkerran House
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| General information | |
| Type | House |
| Location | near Maybole |
| Town or city | Ayrshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°17′32″N 4°40′18″W / 55.29222°N 4.67167°W |
| Completed | c. 1700 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Brick, stone |
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Listed Building – Category A
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| Reference no. | LB1114 |
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Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
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| Official name: Kilkerran | |
| Designated | 30 June 1987 |
| Reference no. | GDL00238 |
Kilkerran House is a grand historic mansion located in Scotland. It sits in the peaceful countryside near Maybole in South Ayrshire. The property is an important listed building, which means experts protect it by law. Its large estate is in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland. The house has sheltered the same family for hundreds of years. Its interesting name connects to Campbeltown Loch in western Scotland. Long ago, people called that body of water Kinlochkilkerran. That old Gaelic name meant the head of the loch by the kirk, or church, of Saint Ciarán. Today, the estate remains an exciting symbol of Scottish heritage.
Discover the Location of Kilkerran House
The mansion rests in a scenic river valley. It sits near the gently flowing Water of Girvan. The historic town of Maybole is about 4.5 miles to the north. If you travel about two miles south-west, you reach the friendly village of Dailly. Green rolling fields and mature woods surround the whole estate. These quiet natural features make the valley a wonderful home for Scottish wildlife.
The Long History of the Fergusson Family Estate
The story of Kilkerran began many centuries ago. The famous Scottish ruler Robert the Bruce granted a special charter in the early 1300s. This royal document declared that the estate belonged to a man named Fergus Fergusson. Because of this ancient royal gift, the Fergusson family has held the property ever since. By the 1300s, an old stone tower house stood on this very ground. Strong tower houses helped Scottish families stay safe during turbulent medieval times. Later, builders used this solid location to raise a much larger family mansion. In the twentieth century, the famous writer Blanche Dugdale visited the home often. She was the mother-in-law of Sir James Fergusson, 8th Baronet and spent her final days there in 1948. Later, Sir Charles Fergusson, 9th Baronet, carried on the family tradition as resident. After his passing, his son, Adam Fergusson, inherited the place.
How the Historic Mansion Changed Over Time
The main core of the current building dates to around the year 1700. As architectural styles changed, the family hired famous designers to improve their home. In 1818, the Scottish architect James Gillespie Graham enlarged the building. He brought in beautiful fireplace surrounds created by the master designer William Adam. These classic fireplaces gave the grand rooms a warm and handsome feel.
Later generations continued to update the estate to match newer fashions. In 1855, another well-known architect named David Bryce designed a brand-new billiards room. This bright space gave family guests a fun place to play games together. In 1873, the architectural firm Brown and Wardrop added sturdy stable offices outside. Almost a century later, in 1956, modern architect Schomberg Scott directed careful redecoration work. His skilled team preserved old details while keeping the rooms fresh and bright. Through these thoughtful updates, Kilkerran House stayed comfortable while protecting its deep Scottish roots.
