Kelburn Castle

Kelburn Castle is a large house near the village of Fairlie which is on the A78 road south of Largs (Scottish Gaelic: An Leargaidh Ghallda). It is in North Ayrshire, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Àir a Tuath, Alba) and Kelburn stands on a stretch of the coast that looks over the Firth of Clyde. It is thought the first Kelburn Castle was built in about 1143 and to have been a wood tower. The Castle seen today comprises a 13th-century Norman keep enclosed in a 16th-century castle alongside an 18th-century century mansion house. The building has been continuously inhabited by the same family, the Boyles of Kelburn. Kelburn is the seat of the Earl of Glasgow who is the hereditary Clan Chief of Clan Boyle.  

Kelburn is open to the public and has extensive grounds with nature trail, forest, parks, glen and other facilities. The castle itself remains the private home of the Boyles and therefore is usually only open for tours on set dates. Another claim to fame for the castle is the Graffiti Project. In 2007 four of the world’s leading graffiti artists from Brazil, working along with Scottish talent painted the walls and turrets of the south side of Kelburn Castle. More information on Kelburn Castle & Estate can be seen on the link to their website given below.

Link and Image: Kelburn Castle & Estate. Image courtesy of their facebook page.