All copyright belongs to Scotland Places To Visit excepting where attributed to approved third parties. All rights reserved Copyright 2007 ©
Fun & Interesting Events in Scotland for 2008! Click here
Scotland Places To Visit
... welcomes you
Dean Castle, formerly known as Kilmarnock Castle until around 1700, is nestled in a lush wooded glen (a dean) on the outskirts of Kilmarnock.
Robert the Bruce gifted lands of Kilmarnock to the Boyds in 1316 as a reward for their support during the War of Independence. Sir Robert Boyd commanded troops at the Battle of Bannockburn.
The Castle consists of the Keep, the Palace and the Gatehouse. The Keep was built in 1460. Its walls are over 3 metres thick and provided excellent defence for its occupants. The Palace was built in 1467 by Lord Boyd. It has a vaulted kitchen on the ground floor complete with an oven in the ingle. The Gatehouse was built in 1935-36 and consists of two round towers, loophole gun ports and half-leaded glass windows.
The Dower House is a 19th Century mansion house nestled close to the Castle. It is presently used as a conference centre and contains a reception area where castle tours can be booked. The East Ayrshire Countryside Ranger Service and the International Burns Federation use the Dower House as their Headquarters.
Dean Castle Country Park,
Dean Road,
Kilmarnock KA3 1XB
Telephone - 01563 522702
E mail -
Photographs Courtesy of Dean Castle Countryside Services ©
Opening Times
Dean Castle
Open all year round from 11am until 5pm, except Mondays and Tuesdays.
Visitor Centre & Tearoom
Visitor Centre, daily April to October 11am to 5pm November to March 11am - 4pm
Tearoom April to October 12 noon - 4pm November - March Closed Monday & Tuesday
Pet's Corner
9am - 3.45 pm daily (all year)
Country Park -
Always Open
Prices
Please enquire directly for prices. Country park admission is free.
If the friendly pop-ups don’t work, please click here
Please contact below for further details or visit the web site link to your right.
