DEAN CASTLE
Here is official information on Dean Castle from the East Ayrshire,
Scotland U.K. government tourism site. It is shown
below for those of
you who would like to go there, yet do not have internet access to
view
the URL, at which there is also one small color picture. The
URL is
included at the end of this article:
Dean Castle, and the extensive Country Park which surrounds it, lie
towards the north of Kilmarnock.
The earliest part of the fortress is the square Keep, built around 1350
by the Boyd family. In 1316, the Boyds had been given the estate of
Kilmarnock by Robert I (the Bruce) as a reward for their support for
him
during the War of Independence and at the Battle of Bannockburn against
Edward II in 1314.
The Place, or Palace, was added about 1468 when the influence of the
Boyd family was at its strongest. It was built as Lord Boyd's private
apartments and was designed for comfort, although defence was not
entirely forgotten. In 1735 the Place was seriously damaged by fire
and
lay in ruins for the next 200 years. In 1749 the Boyd family sold the
castle and the estate. Since then there have been many owners, including
the Earl of Glencairn, friend and patron of the poet Robert Burns.
When the 8th Lord Howard de Walden inherited the castle he began its
restoration. He completed the keep in 1908 and began the important
collection of arms, armour and tapestries. The musical instrument
collection also displayed here was collected by the 8th Lord's
father-in-law. Restoration was completed in 1946, and in 1975 the
castle, collections and estate were gifted to Kilmarnock by the 9th
Lord
Howard de Walden.
A recently opened Visitor Centre in the Country Park enables everyone
to
learn more about the Park and its wildlife in the Discovery Room and
Auditorium. The building also houses a tea room. The Rare Breeds Centre
has exhibitions relating to some of the animals kept here, and the
Children's Corner and Riding Centre let the visitor get closer to the
animals.
Opening hours: Castle
April - October - every day - 12.00 - 5.00
November - March - weekends only - 12.00 -
4.00
Visitor Centre
11.00 - 17.00 (April - October)
11.00 - 16.00 (November - March)
Admission charges: Entry to park and castle
courtyard - FREE
East Ayrshire residents - FREE
Adults -£2.50
Children, concessions - £1.50
Address: Dean Castle Country Park, Dean Rd.,
off Glasgow Rd, Kilmarnock,
Ayrshire, SCOTLAND
Tel: (01563) 574916 (Castle) or 522702 (Country
Park)
Fax: (01563) 573333 (Castle) or 572552 (Country
Park)
http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/tourism/4.1.1.a.tourism.html
Thanks to Kathleen (nee
Boyd) Donato, California, USA
VACATIONING IN SCOTLAND
David E. Boyd - Pleasanton, California
There are many things to mention merely as suggestions to you as you
move
around Scotland. One can B&B it very nicely, but contact the Scottish
Travel Bureau in the nearest city to you for the best B&B book
available
and in it you can find locations and rates. I found the best time to
go
there is in May or September - as you are off season; the rates are
better.
The weather is very nice and the roads are not well traveled in the
outland
areas and the smaller towns. Then too, the larger city travel presents
less
problems. I started up the West coast at Chester, England all the way
to
Inverness, then cut to the East coast and working my way from Aberdeen
taking several inland runs to see interesing spots. Going down to the
border of England, cutting inland to York, then down to just outside
London
to turn in the car.
It is best to rent your car in the smaller towns to avoid the confusion
of
driving in the big city. You can handle this through your Car Rental
Agency. Turn in your car there likewise. One of your larger expenses
will
be gasoline, but remember the distances are not like the States; they
look
that way on the map, but they aren`t in most cases. It is interesting
to
take in a woollen mill. I went to Hawick to see probably one of the
oldest
in Scotland. It is located in central Scotland just North of Dunfrees
and
is a very nice trip. I then went cross country to Stanraer, which is
on the
west coast. You will see many beautiful places on your way to Inverness.
As
for your information Edinburgh and Glasgow are fairly easy to get around
if
you park the car and take local transportation. There are walking tours
which are very informative and they aren't too difficult either.
You will have to refer to your purchased travel books and decide just
what
your interests are and what you want to visit. Let me say that there
is
lots to see and do. Some great places are Loch Lomond, Glenfinnan,
Glencoe,
thru the Trossachs, Fort William, Inverness, the battlefield outside
Inverness (a short drive), of course the castles Edinburgh and the
Dean at
castle at Kilmarnock. Also Penkill Castle in Girvan. The Castle
Atholl is
really something! and say hello to St. Andrews too!!
The food is great, the people very friendly and helpful. Make sure you
read
the round-a-bouts ahead of time for your turn at intersections and
the cars
in there have the right a way and you make your left and take your
turn
left onto the road you want to take.
I hope this has been helpful to those who are planning a trip. I know
you
will enjoy all the effort you put into your trip. Remember one thing
you-
will use the left side as you travel. Have a good trip.