STEEPED IN HISTORY, IMMERSED IN NATURE
Gill Sherry
I have a thing about castles. There’s something magical about those winding turret staircases, the barred windows, secret doors, and thick stone walls. So I was delighted to be invited to explore Killochan Castle just outside Girvan in South Ayrshire.
My visit, though, was less about the castle itself and more about the extensive gardens and grounds – all 143 acres of them!
Killochan Castle dates back to early medieval times. Owned by the Cathcarts, it remained in the family until June 1954 when it was sold at auction. A number of different owners followed until 2021 when it was brought back into the Cathcart family by Robert ‘Rip’ and Millie Cathcart.
Having been lovingly restored and improved, the castle is now an exclusive-use event venue, perfect for weddings, anniversaries, birthday celebrations, yoga or writing retreats, and corporate team building exercises. Recently, it even hosted a witchcraft event! As for the new outdoor oak pavilion, where better for a concert?
The grounds lend themselves perfectly to special occasion photographs, wedding photographs in particular. But they also boast a host of wildlife.
There are seven different trails, varying in length and all suitable for walking or cycling (you can hire mountain bikes or E-bikes). Guests can meander to Millie’s Meadow, pedal to Kingfishers Pool, or stroll to Fisherman’s Rest. Other highlights include Baron’s Stone, Bridge Pool, and Scott’s Pool.
Rip’s Trail (I love how the owners have named parts of the estate after themselves) takes you to the ancient Killochan Cottage, one of three luxurious cottages nestled in the castle grounds, all of which offer accommodation in addition to the castle’s ten sumptuous guest rooms.
Each trail is well signposted and the estate map ensures that it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. Sharon Lamont, Estate Manager at Killochan Castle, joined me on my ramble where we followed the River Girvan – a clean, healthy river – to East Point, accompanied by the sound of common chiffchaffs and blackcaps.
Knowing the estate as well as she does, Sharon was able to guide me to a badger’s sett, although, being mid-morning, I knew we were unlikely to see the sett’s nocturnal residents. That said, it was still a treat to see where these omnivores had decided to set up home, and the paths they tread once night-time falls.
One thing we were able to see was a roe deer. Just visible above the chest-high grass in Millie’s Meadow, I saw her ears twitch as she became aware of our presence. Seconds later she was bounding through the grass, jumping high above the swaying tips, her white fluffy tail flashing behind her.
Continuing along the river, we paused at a bench – there are numerous seating opportunities on the trails – and took a moment to really appreciate our surroundings. The sound of birdsong, the scent of wild flowers, the leafy reflections in the water. It was a beautiful spot, made even more so by the otter prints on the riverbank. There’s something quite special about sharing the same space as wildlife. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.
As we made our way back to the castle, Sharon pointed out various areas of interest: the tree (shaped like a question mark) where the woodpeckers nest, the fishing pools where guests can cast a line, the spot near the river where the kingfishers can be seen enjoying some fishing of their own.
It’s no surprise that so many different species have chosen Killochan Castle as their home. With a mile of river winding through the grounds and a diverse selection of trees and plantlife, it’s the perfect natural habitat for wildlife to thrive. Owls can be heard hooting after dark, grey squirrels scurry over the woodland floor before leaping from branch to branch, and pheasants peck around the paths.
The main attraction, though, won’t be found skulking in the woods or hiding in the hedgerow. The castle’s resident peacocks are the exhibitionists of the estate. And why not? With plumage like that they have every right to parade on the front lawn. There are eight in total, four white and four blue, the latter of which are named Kevin, Zara, Hamish and Haggis, and they are as much a part of Killochan Castle as the turrets that tower over them.
The peacocks certainly seemed at home as they gathered on the beautifully manicured lawns, their tails, like bridal trains, sweeping the grass as they flounced nonchalantly from A to B. Some even hopped up onto the low branches of a tree, their brilliant white feathers a dazzling contrast to the lush greenery that surrounded them.
I was delighted to find a stray peacock feather in the castle courtyard – as I’m sure many guests are – and picked it up as a souvenir of my visit.
It may not be open to the public but guests lucky enough to stay at this unique and historic venue are in for a treat. Not only can they enjoy the splendour of the castle itself – the Great Hall really is magnificent – and immerse themselves in 700 years of dramatic Scottish history, they can become absorbed by nature, witness wildlife in its natural habitat, and appreciate everything that Mother Nature has to offer.
www.killochancastle.com
