Luxury Castles & Country Houses in Britain- Scotland
Glenapp Castle
Ayrshire
Sleeps 34 - 17 Luxuriously appointed double bedrooms and suites. 30 acres of glorious gardens and woodlands Only 90 minutes from Glasgow International Airport Renowned for its cuisine.
After six years of restoration, Fay and Graham Cowan opened the doors of Glenapp Castle in 2000 as an exclusive luxury retreat. There are 30 acres of glorious gardens at Glenapp which have also been restored from a tangled wilderness to their former glory. All the bedrooms at Glenapp are individual and look out upon the beauty of the gardens or across the Irish Sea to Ailsa Craig, Arran and the Mull of Kintyre. Glenapp is open to individual guests and is also available for exclusive use.
INTRODUCTION
People have been coming to stay at Glenapp for more than a century to escape from the pressures of the world. Their aim is to continue that tradition well into the new millenium. The owners invite you to join them and share in some of the splendours of Glenapp Castle.
Glenapp Castle was built in 1870 by the celebrated architect David Bryce for James Hunter, the deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire. The Castle and its lands were puchased in 1917 by James Lyle Mackay, subsequently the first Earl of Inchcape. His descendants owned the castle until 1982, during which time they expanded the estate considerably and enlarged and altered the castle to its present form. The McMillan family acquired the castle in June 1994, by which time it had sadly fallen into disrepair. Their daughter and son-in-law, Fay and Graham Cowan embarked upon a lengthy restoration and opened their doors in 2000.
ACTIVITIES
Golf
Glenapp Castle is within easy reach of four International Championship Courses (including Troon and Turnberry) and many excellent local links and inland courses.
Shooting
Can be arranged on local estates.
Fishing
Salmon fishing can be arranged on the Stinchar, the Bladnoch or the Cree, as well as loch fishing for trout or sea fishing.
Ancestral Homes
There are many Historic Homes in the area which guests can explore including Blairquhan and Culzean Castles.
Tennis
Glenapp has an all weather tennis court.
Croquet
Is available on the lawn.
Walking
Woodland and countryside walks in abundance.
Boating
Glenapp can arrange boating trips around the island of Ailsa Craig, as well as sea fishing and diving trips. Visitors can land on the island, which is a bird sanctuary, and see puffins and many other seabirds, as well as the ruined castle and monastery. In the deep waters off the island porpoises and even the occasional basking shark are to be found. Day excusions to Northern Ireland can also be arranged.
Gardens
The gardens at Glenapp were open to the public for many years. Now they are exclusively for their guests. There are thirty acres of stunning gardens and woodland, with many rare and unusual plants including the spectacular tree rhododendrons and hydrangeas. From Glenapp, guests can also visit Logan Botanical gardens, Castle Kennedy gardens, Glenwhan, Threave and Culzean.
Quad Biking
Along with off roading can be arranged locally.
Distilleries
Bladnoch Distillery by Wigtown produces a very fine lowland malt and they also do excellent tours with tasting sessions.
Falconry
Glenapp can arrange demonstrations of falconry with Harris Hawks. Guests can handle the birds and try the art for themselves.
Fine Dining
This property boasts the very finest cuisine in its own dining rooms. The new Head Chef trained at Le Gavroche and L'Arpege.
Fishing Villages
Portpatrick and Portlogan (location for the filming of '2000 acres of Sky') are close by. Both are very pretty small fishing villages. There are excellent pubs and restaurants in Portpatrick.
Highland and team Games
Glenapp can use programmes for exclusive-use parties, including clay pigeon shooting, archery and paintballing.
Antique Shops
From Glenapp, guests can visit Wigtown, Scotland's National Book Town, where there are numerous antiquarian book shops. Why not visit the Bladnoch Distillery while you are nearby.
Riding
Gallop along the beach or through Culzean Country Park. (half an hour from Glenapp)
Antiquities
The local countryside around Glenapp is dotted with ancient stone circles and burial mounds. At Whithorn, one hour from the Castle, guests can visit the archaeological dig surrounding the earliest Christian settlement on mainland Britain, established by St Ninian.
Treasure Hunts
The Garden treasure hunt is the ideal way to explore the extensive gardens and grounds around the castle.
Weddings
Glenapp is the most beautiful and romantic location for a truly Scottish wedding. The Castle hosts weddings for up to 34 guests and has a civil marriage licence. Alternatively, the marriage ceremony may take place in Glenapp Church, a beautiful little Victorian Church on the Glenapp Estate.
Bird and Wildlife Watching
The gardens and grounds of the Castle are home to Red and Roe deer, Red squirrels, Woodpeckers and Jays amongst many others. Guests can visit the bird sanctuary on the island of Ailsa Craig and the coastline is a well known spot for 'twitchers' to sight rare birds. The nearby Galloway Forest park is home to a herd of wild goats.
Off-Roading
Glenapp can arrange off roading in four wheel drive vehicles, tank driving and even an amphibious vehicle (one hour from the Castle).
Music
Glenapp can arrange music of any kind from a ceildih to a string quartet or a harpist or from a jazz band to a discotheque or folk singer to a classical guitarist.
Outdoor games
The Castle has tennis and croquet in the grounds and can arrange archery, clay pigeon shooting and curling.
DISTANCES
Glenapp Castle is located close to the coast in the county of Ayrshire
Glasgow - 90 minutes
Prestwick - 60 minutes
Edinburgh - 150 minutes
They are happy to arrange collection by car or helicopter
BOOKING & MORE INFORMTION
If you would like to obtain booking information about Glenapp Castle , you can EMAIL us or call us on the numbers below. We will respond your email enquiry within 24 hrs.
If you have any questions about any of our other properties or indeed our service please do not hesitate to contact us.
Telephone: +353 1 288 9355
From Canada & the US 1-800-894 5712
By e-mail info@privateluxurytravel.com
