Top 8 Castles around Largs

" Welcome to Kelburn Castle and Estate. One of Scotland's most beautiful woodlands combined with one of its most interesting castles. Kelburn Castle and Estate is open daily from Easter to October. One of Kelburn’s most popular attraction for the kids is the Secret Forest: a fairy tale inspired maze with a witch’s cottage, a giant’s castle, and much more! There’s also the Adventure Course and Saloon play areas, complete with wooden walkways, stepping stones, tunnels, swings and scramble net. Kelburn’s stunning woodland glen has a number of twisted trails and paths for exploring, with plenty of creative surprises to see along the way. Trek to the top of the glen and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views across the Firth of the Clyde and over to the Isle of Arran." Source: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/kelburn-castle-and-estate-p561001

Alice Boyle, daughter of the current owner of Kelburn Estate Patrick Boyle, wrote a very detailed story about the graffiti project that she had initiated herself, together with her brother and a friend: https://www.aliceboyle.co.uk/the-graffiti-project-2007

There's so much to do and see on Kelburn estate - a graffiti castle, a secret forest, a waterfall, an outdoor play area, a never ending glen, a café... ... and various events, see www.kelburnestate.com/events.

"Based around a 13th Century castle that’s had an amazing makeover courtesy of a team of Brazilian artists, the estate near Largs, Ayrshire also features dramatic walks, breathtaking gardens and many features of historical interest." Source: www.kelburnestate.com

Historic castle (is there a different kind?)

Portencross Castle, also known historically as Portincross Castle, is situated in Portencross, on the west coast of Scotland, about 3 km from West Kilbride. The site has been fortified since the 11th Century. The present tower castle is thought to date from the mid-14th Century and later. It remained in use until it was unroofed by a great storm in 1739 and gradually became ruinous. The castle was designated as a scheduled ancient monument in 1955. The castle was one of the buildings featured in the 2004 series of the BBC television programme Restoration and was the subject of efforts by a local community group to secure its future.

Based around a 13th Century castle that’s had an amazing makeover courtesy of a team of Brazilian artists, the estate near Largs, Ayrshire also features dramatic walks, breathtaking gardens and many features of historical interest.

Barr Castle is a 15th-century keep which was altered in the 16th century (and probably later, too). The gables of the castle have collapsed, apart from the chimney stack which juts up into the sky. Not much survives of the former courtyard of the castle. The main hall was on the first floor, reached by a turnpike stair, which continued to the rooms on the upper floors. It is clearly visible from the A760 road going south from the village to Kilbirnie. It was built by the Glen family but passed in the late 16th century to the Hamiltons of Ferguslie. A door lintel has a date of 1680 and the initials L.H./I.C. The family abandoned it in the 18th century in favour of a new house. The family, variously known as Sempill, Sempil, Sempel and Semple, had probably owned estates in the area from as early as the 13th century. Robert Semple, Steward of the barony of Renfrew during the reign of Alexander II, was recorded as living in Elliston Castle, whose ruins lie near Howwood. The Semples of Elliston fought for Robert the Bruce, and steadily grew in power to become the Steward's hereditary Baillies of Renfrewshire. They were appointed Hereditary Sheriffs of Renfrewshire and Hereditary Baillies of Paisley. They were later designated as Lords Semple. Their extensive land holdings, Castle Semple, constituted some areas of Lochwinnoch and its hinterland. At some point, probably in the 15th century, the family built a tower keep at the east end of the north shore of the Loch.