CHIEF:  Alastair Ivor Gilbert Boyd 7th Baron Kilmarnock

Richard G. and Jerri Lynn Boyd

568 W. Friedrich Street

Rogers City, Mich. 49779

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Dean Castle (Kilmarnock) Visitor's Page

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 defense 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

                       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.

David E. Boyd, Pleasanton, CA

NOTE: Use this data as a finding tool, just as you would any other secondary source. When you find the name of an ancestor listed, confirm the facts in original sources.

Back to Main Page

History

Boyds of Badenheath

THE BOYD / HAY FAMILY

Panoramic View of Kilmarnock (Dean Castle)

 KILMARNOCK, SCOTLAND  by  ARCHIBALD M'KAY  1864

"Kilmarnock House" and other Olden views of Dean (Kilmarnock) Castle

The Origins of Kilmarnock, Scotland

Boyds of Penkill / Trochrig

 THE BOYDS OF IRELAND

Dean Castle (Kilmarnock) Visitor's Page

 The Battle of Culloden
and The Execution of William Boyd

Main Descent of the Boyd family

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