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 purchased 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.

Fay and Graham Cowan, made the castle their home, and embarked upon a lengthy restoration, having restored Glenapp to its former grandeur, the Cowans opened the doors of the castle as an exclusive luxury retreat.

Now a vast and spectacular Victorian mansion set high above the village overlooking the Irish Sea and the island of Ailsa Craig opened its doors as an exclusive luxury hotel.

Within the castle there are graceful lounges and elegant dining rooms as well as 17 individually furnished and decorated bedrooms and suites and seemingly endless oak panelled hallways and corridors. All are handsomely furnished with personally chosen antiques and fine oil paintings, and individually decorated to the highest standard in traditional style.

The two 'Master Rooms' are palatial in size, with highly ornate cornice-work. There are two suites, which in addition to the bedroom area have an interconnecting sitting room.

All of the castle's rooms are bright and sunny thanks to the tall and elegant Victorian windows and all rooms have luxurious traditionally appointed en suite facilities, as well as colour television, video recorder and compact disc player. Each bedroom and bathroom has a direct dial telephone. Many bedrooms have coal and log effect gas fires, and all rooms have superb views of the gardens or the coastline, or both in many cases.

The castle is open to individual guests as an exclusive luxury retreat from April through October each year and is available throughout the year for exclusive use reservations.

Dining at the castle is an unique experience. The finest cuisine, produced by a skilled and professional team, is served each evening in the gracious surroundings of the castle dining rooms.

Complementary wines from the cellars are served with each day's menu, or guests may prefer to choose from the extensive Connoisseurs' List.

The 30 acre grounds at Glenapp Castle are totally secluded and private, and are for the exclusive use of the castle guests. There are many rare and unusual plants and shrubs to be found, including magnificent specimen rhododendrons. Paths wander round the azalea pond, and through established woodland, leading to the wonderful walled garden with its 150 foot Victorian glasshouse. Fresh herbs and fruit from the garden are used every day in the castle kitchen, and freshly cut flowers adorn every room. For the more energetic, there's an all weather tennis court and croquet lawn.

Glenapp Castle is a peaceful and truly magnificent setting for special occasions, whether they be family celebrations, sporting breaks or luxury residential conferences. The castle can be made available throughout the year, for exclusive use by parties of up to thirty four resident guests.

We are happy to arrange any of the activities such as golf, shooting and fishing. We can also provide music and entertainment for all tastes, ranging from traditional Scottish banquets and Burns Suppers to whisky and wine tasting, ceilidhs and highland dancing. We can provide a traditional Scottish piper or a twelve piece fiddle orchestra, a string quartet or a folk singer. We can also provide more contemporary live music.

Glenapp Castle can be exclusively yours for what we guarantee will be an unique and memorable occasion. Individual guests at the Castle may prefer simply to relax and enjoy the peace and seclusion and its beautiful gardens. The more energetic might also have a game of croquet or perhaps tennis on the all weather court in the grounds.

For the golfer, arrangements can be made for a round on one of the many superb local courses such as Creachmore in Stranraer, Dunskey at Portpatrick, or Brunston Castle at Dailly. For the connoisseur they can also arrange golf at Turnberry, Royal Troon, Prestwick or Western Gailes, all of which are within an hour's drive of Glenapp.

Salmon and trout fishing on local rivers such as the Stinchar, the Cree and the Bladnoch as well as fly casting tuition can also be arranged. Loch and sea fishing, boat trips to Ailsa Craig or the Mull of Kintyre, windsurfing, sailing and horse riding are also available. The wild and beautiful countryside of Ayrshire and Galloway which surrounds Glenapp is perfect for mountain biking, bird watching and walking. For groups, they can also arrange excellent driven or walked up shooting for pheasant and partridge and superb rough shooting and deer stalking as well as clay pigeon shooting within the castle grounds. They can even organise off road driving and paintball shooting.

Glenapp Castle is one mile from the A77 Glasgow to Stranraer trunk road near the village of Ballantrae. Arrangements can be made for collection by car or by helicopter.

Located: Glasgow 71 miles, 1.5 hours Prestwick 40 miles, 1 hour Edinburgh 109 miles, 2.5 hours Dumfries 96 miles, 2 hours Manchester 245 miles, 5.5 hours.

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