Kelburn Castle
Having visited four castles in twenty-four hours, on the way back there was time to take in a fifth. Heading north up the west coast towards Largs – see blog post 151 in this series for a previous visit – there is Kelburn Castle and Estate. The castle is quite spectacular, due to the multi-coloured artwork which adorns it. It is known as Graffiti Castle, which came about through a project to take Brazilian graffiti and apply it to the walls. Controversial, but I love it. To my knowledge it’s a one-off, and highlights the art form in a completely unexpected setting. It’s a fantastic example of street art and is well worth the visit.
The castle is still a private home of the Earl of Glasgow, so internal tours are only available on set dates during the summer, so a return trip is in order. The castle is believed to have been built around 1143, with the initial structure a wood tower. This was replaced in the 1200’s with a Norman Keep, built out of stone. Further work and expansion continued throughout the following centuries. According to the information boards, the original fortress was built by the Boyle family who came from Normandy in France. The tower was in an ideal location to look out to sea for potential invaders. In 1581, the Norman Keep was enclosed with additional towers added. A mansion house was added in 1700, with the Victorian Wing built in 1879-80.
There are wooded walks you can take, including a trail known as the Secret Forest. The Neverending Glen combines a walk-through art experience, where works of art are situated within the forest, adding to the experience. There are farm animals to see and a walled garden to enjoy. There is also a short glen walk described as the Sculpture Trail, with pieces carved out of wood depicting various animals, birds and fish that can be found on the estate. The cafe can be enjoyed in what was a stable, with the stalls still in place, now occupied by tables and chairs, which I thought was pretty cool. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and would certainly go again. I’m keen to go inside the castle so will need to keep an eye on their website next year.
The Fiction Factory 