The Boyle
family have owned Kelburn since 1140, becoming Earls of Glasgow in 1703. The first Earl
assisted in the Union of Parliaments. The 7th Earl was Governor of New Zealand
from 1892-97.
John Boyle erected the Z-plan
tower house in 1581, with the main block four storeys tall with circular towers and
turrets. In 1700 the William and Mary wing was erected two storeys tall. Its mason, Robert
Caldwell, built it to Lord Boyle’s plans. The Victorian wing was added in 1879. The
tour, can be booked at the park centre, is often led by the Countess of Glasgow.
The Country Park has various
attractions including a museum, walks, a playground, animals, a Robert Adam memorial
(1775), waterfalls and interesting trees and shrubs. |
