Heritage Britain

Places to Visit in Maybole, Ayrshire

Blairquhan, Maybole

Blairquhan

Blairquhan Estate Office
Maybole
Ayrshire
KA19 7LZ
Tel: +44(0)1655 770239
Fax: +44(0)1655 770278
Email: click here
Blairquhan online: information and bookings

The Hunter Blairs are descended from the Hunters of Hunterston, who have lived at Hunterston in North Ayrshire since 1110. In the mid 18th century a younger son of our branch of the family, Hunter of Abbothill, near Ayr, went to Edinburgh where he became Lord Provost and MP for the City and was created a Baronet. He married Jean Blair, the heiress of Dunskey in Wigtownshire and added her name to his. (Robert Burns wrote an Elegy on his early death - very uninspiring - but, luckily, the poet said at the time, the verse was indifferent but the grief was sincere’).

Blairquhan was bought for his second son, Sir David, the 3rd Baronet,
in 1798. (He was related, on his mother’s side, to the Kennedys who were the original owners of Blairquhan).

Sir David found both the Estate and Castle in a bad way. He decided eventually, to abandon the old Castle and make a new house on a site slightly to the North. William Burn was the chosen architect - later to become the most successful country house architect in Great Britain - and between 1821 and 1824 the house was built, preserving some of the stones from the old castle in the kitchen courtyard. John Tweedie designed the gardens and Sir David himself, who was an enthusiastic amateur landscape architect, laid out the grounds. Fittings and furniture were sent for from Ayr, Edinburgh and London - and they still remain - even including the blankets on the four poster beds with the date “1824” woven into them.
Blairquhan can be yours alone for whatever period you like - for a few hours, a night, a week or even longer. It has not been altered at all
since it was built - partly for that reason it is extraordinarily well laid out for every sort of entertaining as well as for conferences and for
house parties.

In recent years the house has been discreetly modernised to provide comfortable living. There are ten double bedrooms (four of these have Four Poster beds, one has a Two Poster and the remainder have twin beds), each with its own bathroom adjoining. There are five single bedrooms.

Blairquhan, Maybole

Facilities
FILMING
The Castle has retained so much of its original features and style that it is an ideal place for:

• Period filming
• Fashion Shoots
• Interior locations
•Castle backdrop
• General photography

Weddings and Conferences
WEDDINGS
The wedding service itself can be held in the Castle, with seating capacity for 100. If you prefer there is a beautiful church in the nearby village of Straiton. We also have a civil wedding license.
Up to 50 guests can be seated in the Dining Room for the wedding meal, and up to 100 guests for a reception. For larger numbers a Marquee is available. The Castle and its grounds offer an ideal location for wedding photography.

ACCOMMODATION
The Castle can sleep about 23, some in magnificent 4 poster beds. Also, there are 7 holiday cottages which can sleep from 4-8 each. See [Accommodation]

CORPORATE EVENTS
Conferences and meetings can be held at Blairquhan Castle in complete privacy and comfort. It is an ideal venue for: 

• Corporate entertainment and events
• Car launches
• Conferences
• Senior management meetings
• Executive meetings
• Burns' Dinners
• Christmas office parties, etc.


The Castle is yours alone to use as you wish.

In case of alteration, please check prices, opening times and any specific important information before booking or visiting

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