This is one of the places I visited while staying with Jackie.
Information about the castles history from here.
http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/comser/tourism/places_dean_castle.asp
Dean Castle, and the Country Park around it lies to the north of Kilmarnock.The oldest part of the castle is the square Keep which was built around 1350 by the Boyd family. In 1316, the Boyds had been given the estate of Kilmarnock by Robert I (the Bruce) as a reward for their support for him during the War of Independence and at the Battle of Bannockburn against Edward II in 1314.The Palace, was added about 1468 when the influence of the Boyd family was at its strongest. It was built as Lord Boyd's private apartments and was designed for comfort and defence, In 1735 the Place was seriously damaged by fire and lay in ruins for the next 200 years. In 1749 the Boyd family sold the castle and the estate and since then the whole estate has seen many transient owners.
When the 8th Lord Howard de Walden inherited the castle he began its restoration; the keep was completed in 1908 and as soon as the keep was complete the Lord began collecting the arms, armour and tapestries seen there today. Restoration was completed in 1946, and in 1975 the castle, collections and estate were gifted to Kilmarnock by the 9th Lord Howard de Walden. There is now a Visitor Centre, Country Park and tea rooms. The Rare Breeds Centre has exhibitions relating to some of the animals kept here, and the Children's Corner and Riding Centre let the visitor get closer to the animals.
