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Originally Built In
1346
Associated Family Names
McWhirters, Kennedys, Whitefords, Hunter-Blair Baronets
Type of Architecture
Tudor-Gothic Regency
Rooms
15
Original Use
Tower house and baronial estate
See in (movie/tv)
The Queen (2006, starring Helen Mirren – as replacement for Balmoral), Beauty and the Geek
Location
Maybole, Scotland
Perfect for
Weddings, Family Gatherings, Celebrations, Retreats, Golf Holidays
Property type
Exclusive Use
Blairquhan Castle is a magnificent Grade A-listed Regency masterpiece set in over 200 acres of private parkland and gardens in the heart of Ayrshire’s Burns Country. Originally a 14th-century tower house, the current Tudor-Gothic castle was designed by celebrated Scottish architect William Burn and completed in 1824, featuring soaring 60-foot ceilings, ornate oak tracery, and period antiques throughout. The estate offers fifteen luxurious individually designed bedroom suites accommodating up to 30 guests, complemented by four stunning function rooms including the dramatic top-lit Saloon with its 22 doors, an elegant Dining Room seating 60, and a distinguished Library with fitted bookshelves. The property’s three-mile private drive along the River Girvan creates a breathtaking approach through romantic wooded banks, while the award-winning gardens include an unusual three-walled heated garden and an 18th-century avenue of lime trees. Located just 50 miles from Glasgow and within easy reach of legendary golf courses including Turnberry, Prestwick and Royal Troon, Blairquhan seamlessly blends seven centuries of Scottish heritage with modern luxury amenities and dedicated full-service staffing.
Seven Centuries of Scottish Heritage, Four Distinguished Families
Built in 1346 by the McWhirter family as a tower house, Blairquhan has witnessed seven centuries of Scottish history through the stewardship of only four families. The Kennedys inherited the estate through marriage in the 15th century and expanded the old castle around 1573, incorporating decorative mouldings and sculptured stones that survive today in the kitchen courtyard. The Whiteford family took possession in the early 17th century until 1798, when a bank crash forced them to sell to Sir David Hunter Blair, 3rd Baronet, whose family had made their fortune in Jamaica and married into the Blair heiress line. By 1820, the old castle had fallen into disrepair following fires and neglect, prompting Sir David to commission William Burn—Scotland’s most sought-after architect and pioneer of the Scottish Baronial Revival—to design an entirely new castle. The foundation stone was laid in 1821, and the magnificent Tudor-Gothic mansion was completed in 1824 at a cost of £16,000 for construction and £4,000 for furnishings (equivalent to several million pounds today). The Hunter-Blair family maintained the estate for over two centuries, with the late James Hunter Blair (1926-2004), a renowned horticulturalist and forester, dedicating his life to restoring the castle and preserving the grounds’ veteran trees and walled garden. In 1970, Blairquhan opened to paying guests for the first time to help offset operating costs. The castle gained international recognition when it served as a replacement for Balmoral in the 2006 Oscar-winning film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren. In 2012, Sir Patrick David Hunter-Blair, 9th Baronet, sold the estate to Ganten Scotland, a subsidiary of an international Chinese company, which has continued the tradition of offering the castle as an exclusive-use luxury venue while preserving its rich cultural heritage.
Blairquhan Castle offers an unforgettable wedding setting with its dramatic Tudor-Gothic architecture, soaring 60-foot Saloon for ceremonies, and elegant function rooms that can accommodate up to 100 guests for receptions, all surrounded by 200 acres of romantic parkland and award-winning gardens featuring an 18th-century avenue of lime trees. The castle's three-mile scenic approach along the River Girvan, combined with fifteen luxurious bedroom suites for overnight guests and the option of marquee celebrations on the grounds, creates a fairytale experience enhanced by the venue's appearance in the Oscar-winning film The Queen and its rich seven-century heritage.
The castle provides a sophisticated exclusive-use venue for corporate retreats, executive meetings, and private celebrations, featuring four stunning function rooms with period antiques and chandeliers, fully staffed professional service, and complete privacy free from distractions in a historic setting just 50 miles from Glasgow. Guests can enjoy bespoke catering using the finest locally sourced Scottish produce, access to world-class golf courses including Turnberry and Royal Troon, and a range of activities from falconry and archery to Highland games and whisky tasting, all orchestrated by the dedicated castle team.
Perfect for multi-generational family reunions and celebrations, Blairquhan Castle accommodates up to 30 guests in the castle's fifteen individually designed bedroom suites, plus additional capacity in eight self-catering luxury cottages on the estate that can house up to 46 more guests, ensuring everyone enjoys both comfort and Scottish baronial grandeur. Families can explore the 200-acre estate with its walled gardens and ancient Dule Tree planted in the 16th century, take boat trips along the River Girvan, enjoy afternoon tea with home-baked treats, and venture into Burns Country to visit the poet's birthplace, museums, and the many attractions of Ayrshire's pastoral countryside and coastal towns.
Straiton, Maybole KA19 7LY
