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Castle Kennedy & Gardens are in
southwest Scotland, 4 miles east of Stranraer, 70
miles west of Dumfries, off the A75 road, at the
small village named Castle Kennedy, built from
1607 for John Kennedy.
The Gardens with the old Castle are open
most of the year for visits with a small entry
fee. The tearoom, gardens, 2 lochs, and estate
walks are a great way to spend an hour, or even
a day. The grounds here were used for a number
of scenes in The Wicker Man
horror film with Britt Eckland, Christopher
Lee, and Edward Woodward. Postcode: DG9 8SJ
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The image top is from the driveway looking
across the loch to the new castle from the mid
1800s. This castle is known as Lochinch
Castle, in Scottish Baronial style.
Lochinch Castle is private, but can be viewed
from the estate walks, or booked for
weddings.
The image second top is of the bridge just
before the car park, a nice scenic area.
The car park and tea room are next to the
original Castle Kennedy built in 1607 for
John Kennedy,
5th Earl of Cassillis.
The castle passed to James Dalrymple, 1st
Viscount of Stair in 1677.
His son, John 2nd Viscount Stair, is said to
have signed the orders that led to the Glencoe Massacre
in 1692.
James Dalrymple, 3rd Earl of Stair, began
the construction of the gardens in the early
1700s.
The Castle was gutted by fire in 1716,
remaining an impressive ruin to this day.
The Tearoom looks over Castle Kennedy, also
next to the walled garden. There are vast
landscaped grasslands around the old
castle.
The Pond is between Castle Kennedy and
Lochinch Castle. You can just see the Lochinch
Castle through the gap in the trees where there
is a grass walk.
The grass in this area is about 3 inches
deep and often wet, so waterproof footwear is
advised.
The image of Lochinch Castle is from the
walk around the estate. This castle is private,
although can be booked for weddings, and there
are estate cottages available for holidays.
Lochinch Castle was built in the mid 1800s
for John Dalrymple, 10th Earl of Stair. His
wife was Louisa de Franquetot, daughter of the
3rd duc de Coigny.
The Castle is presently owned by John David
James Dalrymple, 14th Earl of Stair, born in
1961, a politician, now in the House of
Lords.
The image right is over one of the lochs
named the Black Lock, with the notice board
showing the wildlife in the area.
The loch on the other side of the estate
with a boat house, is the White Loch.
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