National Trust of Scotland

A few years before his first collection of poems was published, Robert Burns co-founded the Tarbolton Bachelors’ Club in this curious red-shuttered, thatched 17th-century house. It was here that he learned to dance, became a freemason and created a men-only debating society.

Discover East Ayrshire.
First Class Attractions, stunning landscapes and unique experiences.

Ayrshire & Clyde Coast

Get Off the Beaten Track

Dundonald Castle is truly one of Scotland’s hidden gems, tucked away in the quiet, rural landscape in South Ayrshire.
The 14th Century hilltop fortified ruin is looked after on a daily basis by The Friends of Dundonald Castle SCIO, who also manage the attraction’s Visitor Centre.

Dundonald Castle

Founded in 2010 by a group of literary activists, including Boswell’s senior direct descendant, Margaret Boswell Eliott, the Trust is empowered under its charitable status to promote “heritage, literary arts and education”, and specifically to restore James Boswell’s Mausoleum in Auchinleck Churchyard and to create a visitor attraction in the adjoining seventeenth century Old Church. 

The Boswell Trust

This glorious 260ha estate was once the playground of David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis – a man who was keen to impress with his wealth and status. Opulent to the extreme, the park is planted with conifers and beech, sculpted around miles of sandy coastline dotted with caves, and finished off with a Swan Pond, an ice house, flamboyant formal gardens and fruit-filled glasshouses.

Culzean Castle

Teeming with history and surrounded by mountains, Brodick is every inch the quintessential island castle. The present building was fashioned in 1844, but the seat dates back centuries to when its strategic position overlooking the Firth of Clyde made Brodick a fortress to be reckoned with. The castle was the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton.

Brodick Castle

Join one of our tastings and discover more about how we’re building on the legendary narrative of distilling on Arran to produce our Lagg Single Malt at Lagg Distillery in Kilmory, Arran. 

Monday	11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday	11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday	11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Bachelor's Club

A few years before his first collection of poems was published, Robert Burns co-founded the Tarbolton Bachelors’ Club in this curious red-shuttered, thatched 17th-century house. It was here that he learned to dance, became a freemason and created a men-only debating society.

Opening Times

More in Ayrshire & Clyde Coast

Get Off the Beaten Track

Dundonald Castle

The Boswell Trust

Culzean Castle

Brodick Castle

Lagg Distillery

Other Museums & History

Discovery Point

V&A Dundee

Wardlaw Museum

Hugh Miller's Birthplace

National Museum Scotland

Barry Mill