20 Attractions to Explore Near Dean Castle Country Park

The Burns Monument Centre is a shared venue among East Ayrshire Leisure, East Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire Archives. The local and family history collections at the Centre are cared for by East Ayrshire Leisure. The collection includes items such as newspapers, maps, historic photographs, books and many other local and family history resources.

New Farm Loch was situated in a low-lying area between the farms of Holehouse and New Farm in the Parish of Kilmarnock, New Farm Loch, East Ayrshire in Scotland. The loch was mostly artificial, having been developed as a curling pond, fed by the Hillhouse Burn through seasonal flooding. The loch was drained via Holehouse Farm Burn. One of the beautiful location for an outing and also a place to chill with your family.

A beautiful 30 acres of land in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. It features a miniature golf course, a few drinking fountains, pubs, boating in the pond and a band stand on the site, but now only a single non-functional fountain remains. The Kilmarnock-Dumfries railway line passes the park, near the top entrance to the park near the new Burns Monument Centre, there is a Corinthian column, erected in memory of a group of Parliamentary reformers who protested here in 1816.

A majestic 4 star attraction, which houses the largest museum and gallery spaces in Ayrshire and East Ayrshire’s central library. It has been described by the Glasgow Herald as ‘Scotland’s finest municipal gallery’ through hosting an ambitious range of temporary exhibitions and is regularly the only Scottish venue for significant shows.

The Laigh Kirk is a church in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. This church is historically old, but modern and vigorous in work and witness. Body of the church by Robert Johnstone 1802. Enlarged 1831 with later 19th-century session room. Major refurbishment 1996 by W I Munro Architects, winning 1997 Civic Trust Award for part of town-centre regeneration. Interesting monuments and stained glass. Covenanters’ graves in adjacent kirkyard. Close to bus and rail stations.

This is the Ayrshire’s second largest river rises above Loudoun Hill on the boundary of East Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. It shares an extensive estuary with the River Garnock. This is the only significant estuary in Ayrshire, providing excellent bird habitat.

This is a very majestic structure and was built upon volcanic rock that juts out near the bed of the river and may be considered one of the finest buildings in the district. here are square-headed drip moulds. Corner turrets are square; there is a porte-cochere; the building stands on a terrace, with round corner bastions. The internal hall and staircase have plaster ceilings and other Gothic decoration. The owners possess drawings of the castle prior to the modernisation.

Laigh Milton Viaduct, also known as Milton Bridge or Gatehead Viaduct, is believed to be the world’s earliest surviving viaduct on a public railway. It was built by William Jessop for the Kilmarnock & Troon Railway, Scotland's earliest line. The viaduct was in use until 1846. It later fell into disrepair but was restored in 1995-6 when a replica of the original track was reconstructed on it.

Barr Castle, built in the early 16th century, is a simple rectangle on plan, measuring about 35 1/2ft E-W by 26ft transversely and rises to four storeys beneath the parapet with a garret above. It passed into the hands of the Hamiltons of Ferguslie at the end of the 16th century. They retained the castle until the late 18th century, when they sold and abandoned it for a new mansion. The castle is protected as a scheduled monument.

A majestic mansion house, which is home to a stunning 14th century tower and historic and luxurious mansion house hidden within beautiful, prize-winning gardens and over 2000 acres of parkland in Ayrshire, Scotland. The present form of the house dates back to 1843, although the earlier towers adjoin the newer additions.

Craigie Castle, in the old Barony of Craigie, is a ruined fortification situated in the Civil Parish of Craigie, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It consists of the ruins of a 13th-century groin-vaulted hall house and later castle. The hall house was vaulted in the 15th century, and remodelled into a tower house with ranges of outbuildings. The castle had two courtyards, and was defended by ditches.

Dundonald Castle is a splendid example of a medieval tower house, with a fine barrel-vaulted ceiling in the lower hall. Explore the high-vaulted halls and gloomy dungeons of this splendid stronghold, perched on a hill above the village. The main tower was built in the 1370s by King Robert II to mark his succession to the throne. Its heritage is explored in the visitor centre.

A large impressive mansion and Category A listed, T-plan building of a late 16th-century date converted to the L-plan during the early-to-mid-17th century; its ruins stand about 1 km W of Dundonald, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Parish of Dundonald. It was held at various times by the Wallace, Cochrane and Montgomerie families.

Stanecastle was a medieval barony and estate in North Ayrshire, Scotland, first mentioned in 1363 and now part of the Irvine New Town project. Its nearest neighbours are Bourtreehill and Girdle Toll. In the middle-ages, Stanecastle gave way to the ever expanding Eglinton Empire and William Francis of Stane passed his estate on to the Earls of Eglinton in the 15th century. Campbell states that the present castle was built in 1520 by Montgomerie of Greenfield, a cadet branch.

Wallace's Monument is a category-A-listed building dedicated to the memory of William Wallace located on Barnweil Hill , a prominent location in the parish of Craigie, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is a picturesque Gothic structure and is in a prominent situation, built to commemorate William Wallace at the time of an upsurge in the Scottish desire for self-determination, predating the 1869 Wallace Monument at Stirling.

A majestic museum which was home of the Irvine Burns Club. The museum offers a range of exhibits, artwork and information relating to the life and work of Scotland’s National Bard. Members of the club also volunteer their services to give visitors guided

Seagate Castle is a fortified mansion built by Hugh Montgomerie, the 3rd earl of Eglinton in 1565. It is the third castle on this site near the River Irvine and is the oldest structure in Irvine. The castle overlooks the oldest street in Irvine, which was once the main route between the town and the old harbour at Seagatefoot, which by 1606, was useless and abandoned due to silting. The remains of the castle are protected as a scheduled ancient monument.

Eglinton Castle is a very ruinous old mansion on the site of a castle, once the splendid seat of the Montgomery Earls of Eglinton. At its height it was second only to Culzean Castle in its grandeur and scale. Eglinton is best remembered for the lavish, if ill-fated Eglinton Tournament, a medieval-style tournament organised in 1839 by the 13th Earl. It was now one of the famous attraction in this area.

Eglinton Country Park is a huge favourite open space for the local community in Ayrshire. Situated in the Garnock valley, Between Kilwinning and Irvine, this local treasure has something for everyone. This country park is set in 400 hectares of land cantered around the ruins of Eglinton Castle. Car parking is easy here and is extended for busy periods and special events. The visitor centre area boasts an information centre with local history exhibits, park maps, gift ideas and a cafe.

Bachelors' Club is a National Trust Property where you can discover more about Robert Burns’s formative years in an authentically restored attraction. In this 17th-century thatched house, Robert Burns and friends formed a debating club in 1780. You can see where Burns and his friends gathered to debate the big issues of the day!