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 situated 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.
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