Scotland’s castles are one of its biggest tourist attractions, but in most cases all look very similar – old, stone and massive turrets. But there is one historic castle that has a unique claim to fame for its colourful walls – and has even been compared to graffiti artist Banksy.
Kelburn Estate, in Largs, North Ayrshire, is already renowned for its beautiful woodlands which are often listed as some of the most scenic in Scotland. Its castle was built in the 13th century and is believed to be the oldest in the country to have been continuously inhabited by the same family, the Boyle family, whose head of the family is otherwise known as the Earl of Glasgow.
The castle is one of the most unique in the world as it is adorned with fantastical Brazilian graffiti which has seen the mural named as one of the world’s top 10 examples of street art by author and designer Tristan Manco – leaving it in the same category as Banksy’s work in Los Angeles and the Favela Morro Da Providencia in Rio de Janeiro.
In 2007, experts told the Boyle family that the castle’s concrete facing would eventually need to be replaced to avoid further damage to the stonework. The Earl of Glasgow, inspired by his children, invited four Brazilian artists – Nunca, Nina and the Os Gemeos twins – to paint the walls.
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Historic Environment Scotland agreed to the project but only on the basis that the graffiti would be removed when the castle was re-harled, with the project hitting the mainstream as it was featured on the BBC’s Culture Show, as well as a documentary called Crisis at the Castle which documented the financial problems of running the castle.
Once completed, it became a nationwide phenomenon and resulted in Lord Glasgow getting permission to keep the mural as a permanent feature. The south side of Kelburn Castle is adorned with splashes of colours which engulfs the walls and the turrets, with the artists all living together in the castle for a month to decide on how to approach the project.
(Image: Szabina Toth / Getty Images)
The Earl of Glasgow pleaded with Historic Environment Scotland at the time, saying: “In the three years that the mural has been on the castle it has attracted enormous interest from around the world and it is loved by everyone who sees it. It has become a landmark and a talking point and it has given the castle and the estate a whole new character.”
It features a group of interwoven cartoons in psychedelic colours depicting urban cultural figures and scenes of fantasy. But the wonderful castle is not the only reason to visit Kelburn, which is just 50 minutes away from Glasgow by car or around two hours from Edinburgh, and is open between Easter and October.
There is also a scenic woodlands glen, alongside the Waterfall Pool which is set in a sandstone grotto. If you trek to the top of the glen you’ll find incredible views across the Firth of the Clyde and over to the Isle of Arran.
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