Photographs, route description and map of a circular walk round Dean Castle Country Park at Kilmarnock in the South West of Scotland

Bridge over the Fenwick River

in Dean Castle Country Park

Countryside Trail

in Dean Castle Country Park

Craufurdland River

in Dean Castle Country Park

Bridge over the Craufurdland River

in Dean Castle Country Park

Ponies

in Dean Castle Country Park

Duck Pond

in Dean Castle Country Park

Geese in Duck Pond

at Dean Castle Country Park

Deer

in Dean Castle Country Park

Kilmarnock Water

at entrance to Dean Castle Country Park

DEAN CASTLE COUNTRY PARK - DESCRIPTION:

Location: Dean Castle
Country Park, Ayrshire
Grade: Easy countryside walk
Distance: 2.5 miles/4km
Time: 1-2 hours

There is good and bad news at Dean Castle. The good news is more than £8 million of Heritage Lottery Fund money has been secured for a refurbishment and upgrade of the castle and its facilities, including visitor centre, tearoom, children’s play area and mini zoo.

Some of the money will be used to ensure the castle itself is windproof and watertight and to make more of it available to visitors.

The bad news is that, while all this is happening most of the mentioned above will be closed, although the tearoom has reopened. The park will remain open, so what it means is that you can concentrate on enjoying a good walk without any distractions. The HLF money has been achieved by the clever move of making the park and castle a charitable trust. They were previously run by East Ayrshire Council and local authorities can no apply for HLF funding. The council still has a major role to play in the management of the park.

Situated on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, the country park offers pleasant walking through a variety of landscapes. After the improvements, which are to include a new bridge over the Craufurdland Water, the path network will be extended.

The Countryside Trail curves up to run high above the river, passing through an area of magniﬁcent old trees and with rhododendrons to add a splash of vivid colour in the spring. One part of the path runs close to a housing estate ( giving the residents easy access) and here, in an area called Boyd Wood, native trees are being planted to provide a screen. Later on, the trail follows the river for a considerable distance, which always creates interest, and it is noticeable how much interpretation about the flora and fauna is provided. The two rivers - the Fenwick and Craufurdland Waters - are a major feature of the park and they join to form the Kilmarnock Water near the main entrance.

Dean Castle itself is a surprise and a delight. Dating back to the 14^th century, it was primarily associated with the Boyd family who became Earls of Kilmarnock, and among the panoply of historic Scottish buildings it must rate as something of a hidden gem. It deserves to be better known and the improvements planned will help to achieve this.

Under normal circumstances the country park provides a great day out for children with its large adventure play area, mini zoo and other attractions - after a year out local families will be keen to see what is on offer.

Route Description:

Leave car park and follow driveway up towards Dean Castle. Just before the castle, tum left into the woods ( sign for History Trail ). Follow path up and R as it passes gateway entrance to park and then runs near houses. Look for steps on R and go steeply down to Fenwick Water. TL on path by river to reach car park. Cross and take signed path curving as it climbs through woodland. Pass riding centre, cross driveway and immediately TR on path which initially runs high above Craufurdland Water but later drops down to riverside. Follow path, keeping by river, to stone bridge on L. Cross and go ahead to visit Castle or TL back to start of walk.

DEAN CASTLE - DESCRIPTION:

After an extensive £52 million renovation and modernisation project, Dean Castle has re-opened to the public.
The jewel in Kilmarnock’s crown and the home and stronghold of the Boyd Family for over 400 years, this wonderful historical
stronghold has been used as a location in TV series Outlander and sits proudly within the magnificent grounds of Dean Castle Country Park.
East Ayrshire Council, supported by East Ayrshire Leisure, was awarded £1.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards
the restoration and modernisation, which has cost £5.2m, with funding of £500k also secured from Historic Environment Scotland
and the remainder coming from East Ayrshire Council.
The project involved the refurbishment of the Keep, Palace, Gatehouse, Courtyard and Laundry buildings as well as returning
the collections for a redisplay and new interpretation for visitors. The interior of the Palace will have new display cases,
housing the key objects from the collections and more information on the history of the De Walden family and the Keep will be
dedicated to telling the story of the Boyds.
The Keep, dating back to around 1350, houses displays telling the story of the Boyd family and medieval life, as well as a
stunning collection of arms and armour.
From humble beginnings, in the space of only a few generations the Boyds would be made Knights, Lords and ultimately hold
the Regency over the entire realm — only to lose it all under accusations of treason.
They rose again to become the Earls of Kilmarnock.
Their story is one of battles, plots, kings and politics and includes many figures of historical note — from William Wallace and
Robert the Bruce to Mary Queen of Scots.

The Dean Castle site comprises a number of historic buildings set around a central courtyard.
These are:

The Keep: Completed around 1350, the Keep is the oldest permanent structure on the site. It was the original home and
stronghold of the Boyd family, Lords of Kilmarnock. As well as being a domestic residence, the work of the Lords was
done here. lt contains a Great Hall, private chambers, Minstrel’s Gallery, a dungeon, a guardhouse and kitchens.

The Gatehouse: Built in the 1930’s by Lord Howard de Walden, the style and materials used are in keeping with the rest
of the buildings. Originally a janitor's house, this building now serves as office and storage space.

The Palace ( or Place ): This building was finished around 1460 and was designed to accommodate the expanding role that
the Boyd family held in society and within political circles. The Palace comprises a large banqueting
hall, private chambers and kitchens. The presence of many windows, larger than those of the Keep, indicate a move toward a less
defensive, more diplomatic society and a way for the family to display their wealth and power.

The Courtyard: An enclosed courtyard with a curtain wall topped with walkways.

Conservation Unit: This is a collections conservation lab, situated in old laundry buildings.
Dean Castle’s collections of objects are of international significance. From the exquisite craltsmanship and rarity of the
musical instrument collection to the Viking sword that fires the imagination, the Dean Castle collections - as well as the buildings
themselves - represent over 150 years of collecting and over 1,000 years of the history of Ayrshire, its people and beyond.

Entry to the Castle and Country Park is free and is a great way to spend a day out for all ages.

https://www.eastayrshireleisure.com/venue/dean-castle-country-park/