Kelburn Castle, Scotland: Painted By Brazilian Graffiti Artist
Kelburn Castle, covered in graffiti, is one of the oldest castles in Scotland.
In 2007, Lord Glasgow controversially invited four Brazilian graffiti artists to decorate the walls - and the art is still there today.
There is no written record of when Kelburn Castle was first built, but it is thought to be have been around 1143, with the first structure being a wood tower.
This wooden tower was replaced in the 1200s with a stone Norman Keep, sections of which are still in use today.
The Castle enveloped the stone tower in 1581 so the two periods are now difficult to distinguish from the outside.
In 1700, the 1st Earl doubled the size of the building by adding a William-and-Mary style mansion house onto the Castle at a slight angle, built to the Earl’s instructions by the well-known mason, Thomson Caldwell.
The Victorian Wing was built in 1879-80, possibly by Alexander Crum, M.P. for Renfrew, who rented Kelburn from 1875 to 1886 from the 6th Earl of Glasgow.
The graffiti project
The idea was simple and original: take the vibrant and often transient art form of Brazilian graffiti, out of its predominantly urban context, and apply it to the ancient walls of a historic rural castle in Scotland.
Kelburn brought together four of the world’s leading graffiti artists from Brazil to work alongside Scottish talent, to create a unique burst of colour, embracing the walls and turrets of the south side of Kelburn Castle.
On a building steeped in rural conservative perceptions, this bold and shocking artistic statement received huge media attention.
It is a project of contrasts and collaboration that bridges between cultures, rural and urban realms and unites two proud and very different cultures.
The project involved the artists and organisers living together in the Castle for approximately one month, documented by various forms of media.
The artists had time to share and explore new ideas, from both sides of the equator, culminating in a one-off, giant piece of collaborative art.
In 2011, the mural was named as one of the world’s top 10 examples of street art by author and designer Tristan Manco – on a par with Banksy’s work in Los Angeles and the Favela Morro Da Providencia in Rio de Janeiro.
However, the artwork had mixed reviews when it was shared on social media for the first time.
One comment said: “What a terrible thing to do. Frightfully vulgar.”
Another person added: “Controversial for sure, but it does get attention and attention can mean income stream needed to maintain and restore the building!
”Isn't it better to put some controversial art on the outside rather than let it go to ruin?
”After all it's only paint , so can be removed or painted over later on and in the mean time it protects the walls.”
In the walled garden, opposite the castle, are two magnificent yew trees which have been dated at over 1,000 years old and are thus older than the castle and the estate.
They are deemed to be two of the finest in Scotland.
They make the most perfect location for weddings and often the bride and groom will exchange their vows under these ancient giants.
They are also a wonderful picnic spot or somewhere to take a moment to reflect and enjoy nature and all its glory.
At the bottom of the Glen and only one hundred yards from the castle, the burn drops a sheer 20 feet into a spectacular grotto surrounded on three sides by overhanging cliffs of sandstone.
Up until 1951, the fall of water from a smaller waterfall that also spills into the grotto, was used to generate electricity for the castle.
In 2017 Kelburn reinstated a hydroelectric scheme and the water once again generating renewable energy.
After visiting the fall return to the glen paths and follow the river up to the three fall and further still up the South Glen path to the oldest bridge on the estate ‘Bowbrigg’.
The Children’s Garden
In 1769, the 3rd Earl ordered this box garden to be planted for his son and three daughters.
It forms the shape of the Scottish flag with the children’s initials planted in miniature hedges in the inside corner of the four individual gardens.
The initials stand for Lady Elizabeth, Lady Helen, Lady Jane and Lord George (later the 4th Earl) Our gardens are tended by ‘Chris the Gardener’.
Chris joined the team in March 2015 and does an amazing job of looking after the gardens and wider grounds.
He is incredibly hardworking and one of his challenges has to been to revive the box hedge of the Children’s Garden and preserve this wonderful saltire.
Today, the castle is still the private home of Earl of Glasgow and his family.
Due to this reason, the castle is usually only open for tours on set dates.
Kelburn is popular for its imaginative events calendar.
Numerous family friendly events run throughout the year, offering outdoor, interactive, and creative fun.
The Estate becomes home to the 6000 capacity music festival, The Kelburn Garden Party each year in July.
The Kelburn Garden Party is a music and arts festival that explodes across numerous stages, nooks and spaces throughout the magical glen and stunning gardens that surround Kelburn Castle on Scotland's West Coast.
The estate is also available for weddings, with 5 licensed spots for exchanging vows plus 2 reception venues.
On TripAdvisor, one recent visitor said: “We’ve been coming to Kelburn for nearly 40 years and absolutely love it here.
”The graffiti is stunning, the glen walk and grounds and views are beautiful, and the staff are so friendly.
”Now there’s a £5 parking fee and no other ticket charge.. so no excuses!”
Another person added: “I hadn’t been for several years and it was a lovely experience to be back. It is well organised with a useful map and great signage.
”It is simply beautiful around the castle and the animals is such a nice addition. Nice duck and chicken eggs for sale in the shop at a reasonable price.
”Excellent play opportunities for children. Plenty of spaces for a picnic with several picnic tables.
”I can warmly recommend a visit and I will certainly be back.”
If you’d like to visit, the address is: Kelburn Estate, Fairlie, Largs KA29 0BE.
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