There is little information available about the construction of the original keep, but it is assumed that it was built for defensive purposes rather than comfort, based on the similarity to the construction of other facilities of that time which was around 1200 AD. Sometime around 1581, David Boyle enclosed the original keep with a much larger and grander castle complex. This marked the emergence of the family’s start to power in the local community.

However, the 17th century proved to be troublesome for the Boyles and they obtained their wealth through ship building and shipping. Later, the family heavily relied upon the public service aspect of the community, especially when trying to put a stop to smuggling. John Boyle, the ruler in the 17th century, became the father of the first Earl of Glasgow. The changes that the first Earl, David Boyle, made were not unlike that of a French Chateau and stands virtually the same today, except for the Graffiti art which was done by invitation in order to stop the failing of the concrete facing on the castle, in 2007. The repairs for the concrete may start sometime this year.

Unfortunately for the Boyle family, trouble was arose in the religious controversies of the day and they became indebted by building and endowing churches all over Scotland. The buildings included a big building near Perth and one on Cumbrae. By the late 1800s they found themselves owing nearly one million pounds. A cousin, David Boyle of Stewarton, sold his lands near Irvine in order to have enough money to buy back the Kelburn Facilities at auction. Unfortunately all the rest was lost.

During the years much chaos and lore has been steeped into Kelburn Castle and the lands surrounding it. The present Earl of Glasgow and his wife Isabel started a country park in the 1977, opening the grounds and house to the public. It is truly a wonderful place to visit for those interested in history, or wishing to learn more about the castles and have fun in a modern setting with a historical base.

Also located within the town are very historic monuments that pull tourists from around the world. One of those places is the Neolithic Tomb in Douglas Park. The Neolithic area is the period of time beginning about 9500 BC and is also labeled the New Stone Age. This is when human technology began to make incredible advancements forward with farming, metal tools, and irrigation.

The Neolithic Tomb in Douglas Park is also known that the Haylie Chambered Tomb. Discovered in 1772 by James Wilson of Haylie, this tomb was once covered over by stones. These cairns of stones are manmade structures that are often in the form of a cone. The original cairn was removed for the building of dykes upon the estate. Inside the tomb, the remains of five bodies were found. Originally the tomb was found in the early twentieth century, when major excavation was done, and has been dated back to about 3000 BC. Historically important, the tomb marks the graves of a people known as the Beakers.

The Beakers were a cultural phenomenon that swept through Europe during the late Neolithic period. They were named ‘Beakers’ because of their distinct pottery style, which resembled a beaker with a pronounced inverted bell shape.

The Haylie Chambered Tomb is complete with the original capstone and is commonly listed as one of the main attractions to the visitors of Largs. In addition to the other attractions in the area, such as the Pencil Monument, Kelburn Castle, and Three Sisters; the Haylie Chambered Tomb, or the Neolithic Tomb, is one of the places visitors frequently seek out. Located in a clearing behind Douglas Park, the tomb is very easily accessible.

No visit to the Scottish seaside town of Largs is complete without a visit to this historic place that cements the role of Scotland in the stages of human advances and evolutionary process.

The Brisbane Glen runs more than 7 miles inland from the town of Largs on the coast. It is accessible by Brisbane Glen Road, a minor road, and offers some of the world’s densest population of birds. Great care is taken to preserve this habitat and the entire Glen, outside of Largs, is enclosed. A car park, picnic area, and both moorland and woodland trails are available to people visiting the Glen.

Thomas Brisbane also left another mark in the Largs area that is honored by a monument. The Three Sisters monument was built in honor of Sir Thomas Brisbane for the work he did in the observatory he built in 1808 at Brisbane House. Standing on Green Hill, near the north end of Largs, The Three Sisters are meridian pillars representing the astronomical observatory. There is also another smaller pillar located in the Brisbane Glen through which the 3 Sisters could be sighted.

Thomas Brisbane, while serving as Governor General of South Wales, made many great contributions to the Largs area, and to astronomical theories and information. The area around Largs, and the coastal ports, recognize these efforts by naming two distinct historical features after him.

Anyone who is visiting Scotland, and more specifically the Largs community, owes it to themselves to spend some time walking, and biking, along the trails of the Brisbane Glen. There you will see a great concentration of Grey Wagtail, Blackbirds, Wrens, and Wheatears, Great Spotted Woodpecker, among many other birds. While strolling through the various trails, you can also see brilliant fauna, waterfalls, and incredible canopies of mixed woodland. Visitors of Largs should also treat themselves to a stop at the Three Sisters monument for more of what Thomas Brisbane contributed to Largs.

At one time this region was a highly industrialized area and included many steel manufacturing areas, coal plants, and a few notable product line items. Worldwide, the Johnnie Walker whisky label is recognized as one of the best products of its type produced and is made at a distillery in Ayrshire. Even technology and computer companies have a connection to the area, by way of Compaq buying out a native company known as Digital Equipment. Despite the highly manufacturing oriented atmosphere in the past and currently, the jobless rate in the area extends slightly above and beyond the national average.

While it has a sound foundation in economics and agriculture, it also has an intricate connection to some interesting points in history. Many notable people have called the area home, were birthed or lived in the area at some time in their life. Rumor has it that Robert the Bruce himself hailed from Ayrshire, possibly born at Turnberry Castle. Although definitive confirmation does not exist, rumor is enough to instill some pride in the local communities. Further enhancing the mystique and legendary representation of this particular region, is that Malcolm Wallace, father of the legendary William Wallace, hails from Riccarton. Two of the greatest heroes known in the history of Scotland have their roots in this county.

Ayrshire has about just about everything that one could want. There is seaside dwellings, fishing, and abundant agriculture. Many historical sites steeped in Scottish mythology and history dot the area. Places dedicated to the history not only of Scotland but Ayrshire itself frequent the landscape. Museums, town festivals, and beautiful landscapes are commonplace. A uniquely situated county on one of the most fantastic islands in the ocean, it’s a place you may find to be your destination of choice.