20 Attractions to Explore Near Kelburn Castle and Estate

The Pencil was built in 1912, to commemorate the Battle of Largs 1263, when the Scots defeated King Haco of Norway's troops on the shore at Largs, after the 160 long ships got caught in a storm. The Pencil is built of whinstone and stands 70 feet high and is topped by a conical cap. The style is modelled after the round towers at Abernethy and Brechin, wrongly thought by historians at the time to have been built for defence against the Norse.

A beautiful museum which was run by volunteers from the Largs Historical Society.Since 1975 it has been housed in one of the oldest building in Largs. The museum has displays on the history of the town and the surrounding area, local family history, overseas links especially with Australia, the ship HMS Largs, and so on.

Great Cumbrae is a tiny island which is enormously memorable! Merely four miles in length and two miles wide, the island is reached by ferry crossing from Largs, with Great Cumbrae as a whole often conflated with Millport, its only town. Cumbrae is famously popular for cyclists of all ages thanks to a safe 10 mile, mostly flat, circular loop around the island.

Hunterston Castle was originally situated in an area of marsh, and was defended by a moat and rampart, all of which have now disappeared. It now consists of a rectangular, 16th century, keep, three storeys aand a garret high. A 17th century addition extends to the S, with modern work to the W, the whole forming three sides of a courtyard. The early addition is two storeys and an attic in height, part of it is still occupied. The estate was granted to the Hunters by David I of Scotland in the 12t

Millport Golf Club is a delightful, unique golf course situated on the Isle of Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde. This 5,828 yard 18 hole par 68 course offers a challenge for golfers of all abilities. The course opened in 1888 and was redesigned following recommendations by legendary golf architect James Braid in 1913.

Ayrshire Coast Path is a spectacular 62-mile walk along a scenic coastline brimming with unforgettable sights. Beginning in Girvan, the trail winds its way along clifftops and sandy beaches, visiting an array of charming fishing settlements and historic landmarks along the way. The route is primarily designed for walkers, and as much of the middle and north sections are alongside beaches it is also suitable for horse riding. The northern section, between Ayr and Largs, is coincident with Nationa

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is the collective name for areas of countryside set aside for conservation and recreation on the South Clyde estuary in Scotland. The park covers an area of 280 km2 of Inverclyde, North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, stretching from Greenock in the north, down the coast to Largs and West Kilbride and inland to Dalry and Lochwinnoch. It consists of Castle Semple Loch and Collegiate Church, The Greenock Cut Centre, Muirshiel Country Park, Barnbrock Farm, Lunderston Bay,

Law Castle is situated on the lower slopes of Law Hill on the edge of West Kilbride, in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is around 200 metres from the railway station. The castle is a simple rectangular structure with a sloped roof and several large chimneys protruding at each side. It is similar in character to other tower houses located nearby, including Little Cumbrae Castle and Skelmorlie Castle, and is a category A listed building.

Irish Law is a mountain summit in the The Clyde Muirshiels – Ardrossan to Greenock region in the county of North Ayrshire, Scotland. Irish Law is 484 metres high with a prominence of 80 metres. On the farm road which approaches the peak, there are a number of green huts which are used as holiday dwellings or allotments. Huts of this type were first used as retreats for military servicemen and are now commonly used by families and pensioners, although their number in Scotland has declined.

This beautiful castle sits on a tidal island adjacent to Little Cumbrae House on the east side of the island. It is a plain keep of the 14th century and comparible in the style to nearby Law, Fairlie and Skelmorlie Castles. The present small square castle of Little or Lesser Cumbrae was built by Lord Eglinton in the 16th century, possibly as a base to prevent deer and rabbit poaching; both animals being very common on the main island of Little Cumbrae at the time.

The Barony Centre is a stunning conversion of an old church and winner of several architectural awards. It was set within a wonderfully restored church, The Barony Centre boasts an impressive Exhibition space; 2 upstairs studios and a meeting room that are available to hire; a Gallery Shop offering an eclectic range of work by local and national Makers and Artists; and an award winning Cafe.

Portencross Castle, also known historically as Portincross Castle, is situated in Portencross, on the west coast of Scotland, about 3 km from West Kilbride. The site has been fortified since the 11th Century. The present tower castle is thought to date from the mid-14th Century and later. It remained in use until it was unroofed by a great storm in 1739 and gradually became ruinous. The castle was designated as a scheduled ancient monument in 1955.

Hill of Stake is a hill on the boundary between North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, Scotland. The hill is 522 metres high and is the highest point of the relatively low-lying county of Renfrewshire and indeed the entire Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park of which it is a part, having a considerable Topographic isolation.

Glengarnock Castle is an example of a keep with courtyard attached, of the period 1400-1542, and with various later buildings in the courtyard. The Barony of Glengarnock is one of three feudal baronies which together form the parish of Kilbirnie in the district of Cunningham which lies in north Ayrshire. The River Garnock flows through the village of the same name 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the south, but the name Glen Garnock applies more specifically to the ravine at Glengarnock Castle.

Kilbirnie Loch, is a freshwater Loch situated in the floodplain between Kilbirnie, Glengarnock and Beith, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It runs south-west to north-east for almost 2 km, is about 0.5 km wide for the most part and has an area of roughly 3 km2. It has a general depth of around 5.2 metres to a maximum of around 11 metres. The loch is fed mainly by the Maich Water, which rises in the Kilbirnie Hills near Misty Law, and is drained by the Dubbs Water that runs past the Barr Loch into Cast

A majestic country house which was located on the Isle of Bute, the most accessible island on the west coast of Scotland. This spectacular Gothic house was the ancestral home of the Marquess of Bute. This award-winning attraction featuring magnificent Victorian Gothic architecture and design together with contemporary craftsmanship, surrounded by 300 acres of gloriously maintained grounds and gardens.

St Blane’s Chapel is a church in Argyll and Bute. St Blane’s Chapel is situated south of Kilchattan, close to Hogback Stone. This was the home of St Blane – ‘fair Blaan of Ceen Garad’ – who may have been buried here on his death. The churchyards contain a number of fascintaing weathered grave slabs. Look out for the enclosure wall.

Windy Hill is a 316 metres high hill in Renfrewshire, Scotland. It is one of the TuMPs of the Lowlands. The hill is located on the eastern border of the River Calder catchment area and is part of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Windy Hill is also the name of the first important house designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, which is located in Kilmacolm at some miles from the hill.

Wemyss Bay is a rock and shingle beach, looking south over the bay of the same name and across the upper Firth of Clyde to the wild countryside of the surrounding area. It is the port for ferries on the Sea Road to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. Passengers from the island can connect to Glasgow by trains, which terminate in the village at the remarkable Wemyss Bay railway station, noted for its architectural qualities and regarded as one of Scotland's finest railway buildings.

Barr Castle is located near the village of Lochwinnoch. The castle was a four storey tower house, with the main hall was on the first floor, accessed via a turnpike stair. The chambers were in the upper floors. The castle is now in ruins, and the gable ends of the castle have collapsed. There is little remaining of the courtyard.