11th November 2025
Kelburn Castle
The GAFAS autumn day outing will be to Kelburn Castle in Ayrshire, the ancestral home of the Earls of Glasgow, Chief of Clan Boyle, for over 800 years.
The exact date of construction of the castle is uncertain but considered to be circa 1143, with later additions. There have been various additions throughout the following centuries, most notably by the local stone mason Thomson Caldwell in the 16th century. The Victorian wing was added in around 1880. In 2011 the now well known Brazilian ‘Castle Graffiti Project’ was added to the castle’s south side walls and turrets. While controversial at the time, it is now considered to be one of the world’s top 10 examples of ‘street art’ and favourably compared with many of the examples by the more famous Banksy!
More information can be found on kelburnestate.com.
The Earl of Glasgow and his son, David Boyle, Viscount Kelburn may be able to join us on part of the tour, depending on their schedule. There is a long-standing connection with GAFAS in that the late Countess of Glasgow was our Patron for well over ten years.
A light afternoon tea will be served after the castle tour in the drawing-room and dining-room.
Please bring suitable clothing and footwear for an autumn day out.
A soup and sandwich lunch has been arranged nearby at Scott’s Restaurant, Largs Yacht Haven offering pleasant views at around 12 noon, so please don’t go to town on your breakfast that morning!
Tea/coffee has not been included as we will be enjoying this later at the castle, although drinks may be bought as required at your own expense.
The cost is £ 48 to include coach transport, driver gratuity, soup and sandwich lunch, entry and castle tour and a light afternoon tea. We plan to leave our usual departure point outside Caledonian University by 10.30am making a stop in Kilmacolm en route and aim to return to the city centre around 5.30pm.
More detailed timings will be issued direct to those going a week or so before the tour.