25 YEARS OF THE DOLPHIN HOUSE
SOUTH AYRSHIRE’S OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE
Gill Sherry
It’s 25 years since the Dolphin House first opened its doors as an outdoor education centre in South Ayrshire. Situated in the grounds of Culzean Castle and Country Park, what was once the laundry for the big house now provides memorable learning experiences for young people.
Owned by National Trust for Scotland and leased by South Ayrshire Council, the Dolphin House employs a team of six instructors, two trainees, three cleaners, and three kitchen staff. Not forgetting Geordie the handyman who has been at the centre since almost the very beginning.
I met with Team Leader, Duncan Sturgeon, who told me more about this special place which was also once a residential house.
“Interestingly, the last person to live here is now a Head Teacher in the Highlands. She brings her school from the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. Her husband was a stonemason within the country park… that’s where access to the house came from.”
It now attracts around 1,000 school pupils every year, mainly from South Ayrshire, but also from elsewhere if the diary allows.
“We do a lot of team-building activities,” Duncan explained. “We explore the Culzean caves. There are multiple sets of caves underneath the castle and the stables. We offer mountain biking, hill walking, hiking, paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking. We do coasteering which involves swimming and jumping off rocks. We also offer conservation activities, at times working with National Trust, including litter picking, rock pooling, biodiversity…”
Residential stays are usually from Monday to Thursday, but the Dolphin House offers a variety of different programmes and activities. It can accommodate day visitors and weekend stays and is able to host groups in school holiday periods as well as during term time.
Duncan has been at the centre since 2021 and is proud of its development over the last five years.
“Previously it was only open Monday to Thursday, it was closed over weekends and during school holidays. We’ve increased staffing levels, increased interest, and developed the facilities and activities that young people can access.”
Since 2020, the centre has seen a resurgence following the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in renewed support, including funding for an outdoor classroom.
Bearing in mind the countless benefits the Dolphin House is able to offer its visitors (up to 32 pupils on a residential basis), it’s sad to think that this coastal facility was almost forced to close its doors.
“There is such a wide range of benefits,” Duncan confirmed. “It’s about the memories of the visit and the experiences they have. It could be something they’ve learned or a place they’ve never been, and just that feeling of attachment to the place. There are many things the young people get out of it.”
I imagine it’s also a great confidence booster.
“Yes, I think so. Somebody comes along that’s scared of the dark and has never stayed away from home, but by the time they’ve left they’ve stayed here for three nights and explored dark caves with just a head torch on. It’s a huge thing for them.
“Maybe they’ve come and tried food they’ve never tried before, slept in a dorm with somebody they didn’t think was their friend but by the end is their friend. They make their bed, manage different routines, turn up on time to things. It’s all these life skills that you wouldn’t get in the classroom.”
He seemed to pause before adding: “Sometimes the kids that are really quiet in school are the ones that thrive the most outside.”
From the way he spoke, it was clear that Duncan and his team enjoy their roles at the Dolphin House as much as the young people enjoy their stay. Not only does it sit in an enviable position just steps from the shoreline, but they’re able to witness firsthand the enjoyment that it brings to so many young people.
“We have a great job, we’re really lucky. We have lots of people that want to be outdoors. It’s rewarding to see their development and be able to offer more things and work with more people. We still have lots of people who say, ‘I came here when I was at primary school’.”
Duncan himself stayed at the Dolphin House when he was a pupil at Cairn Primary in Maybole and returned to do work experience while at secondary school. There are others who attended the centre as school children and came back as an apprentice.
Much of our conversation focused on the various outdoor physical activities that residents participate in, but I was keen to hear about the nature-related tasks that the children can enjoy.
“We go out and explore wild places and the local biosphere and look to ensure that the young people have a connection to nature.
We work out in local communities as well. We go to the River Ayr and down to Maidens Harbour. Plus, we do Duke of Edinburgh camping trips and work through the John Muir Award.”
The Dolphin House is fully accessible. All facilities are wheelchair friendly. There is also a specialist wheelchair for the beach and rough ground, as well as special seats for canoes. The centre recently hosted Southcraig School, a local school that caters to children and young people with additional support needs.
To mark the centre’s 25-year anniversary, Duncan and his team arranged celebrations which included a Legacy Lunch attended by local partners, former pupils, friends of the Dolphin House, former staff members, and teachers who have previously visited. A time capsule will also be buried in the grounds, identified by a legacy compass. A fitting tribute to a special place.
There’s no denying that the Dolphin House is situated in a beautiful coastal location. It’s the perfect spot to spend time exploring, making memories and connecting with nature.
“Culzean is a special place, the location is amazing. We’re right on the beach and it feels like we’re totally away from the world.
There’s that feeling of isolation but also that feeling of safety. It’s a safe place to come.”
Before I left Duncan’s office, I took a moment to appreciate the view from the sea-facing window. No wonder he enjoys his job…
“It’s nice, isn’t it?” he smiled.
You can find out more about Dolphin House at www.thedolphinhouse.co.uk
