Cassillis ayrshire sCotland Cassillis ayrshire, sCotland Ayr 7 miles u Prestwick Airport 10 miles u Glasgow 42 miles u Edinburgh 93 miles an imposing castle standing high above the river doon steeped in history and restored for 21st century living. v Category A listed castle comprising ballroom, 3 reception rooms, library, cinema, 7 principal bedroom suites and 6 further bedrooms v Converted former Coach House (5 en suite bedrooms) v Stable block with garaging, loose boxes, and Stables Cottage v West Gate Lodge (3 bedrooms) and Kennels Cottage v Walled garden and Garden Cottage (3 bedrooms) v Outstanding policies with formal lawns, specimen trees, 51 acres parkland grazing and 226 acres woodlands v 1.8 miles salmon and trout fishing on The River Doon (averaging 52 fish (2003 - 2007)) about 309 acres (125 ha) in total For sale as a whole Savills Edinburgh Savills Glasgow Wemyss House, 8 Wemyss Place, 163 West George Street, Edinburgh EH3 6DH Glasgow G2 2JJ Tel: 0131 247 3720 Fax: 0131 247 3724 Tel: 0141 222 5875 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] C1 Cassillis historical & architectural “It is an extensive mansion belonging to three “Restoration Homes”. During this time, former notes main periods, of which the oldest part is a staircases and a small room thought to be a massive oblong tower dating possibly from the secret hideaway were discovered hidden behind Cassillis was acquired by the present owner in 14th century. This was greatly altered in the false walls. 2009 and has since undergone a substantial 17th century, a square stair-tower being added Over the course of the four year restoration, renovation transforming one of Scotland’s most at the south-east and all above parapet level the tower roofs were rebuilt and reslated and historic houses into a sumptuous property suitable remodelled…The early castle has immensely new lead gullies were installed. All gutters and for commercial use and fit for the future. thick walls, 16 feet thick at base, roughcast and drainpipes were replaced and all windows were Cassillis was owned and occupied by the rising four storeys to the parapet…The interior refurbished and finally the harling was repaired on Kennedy family from the early 15th century until has necessarily been much altered to suit the tower and painted. 2009. It is believed that the original castle was later requirements, but many original features Internally, gas central heating was installed (with built sometime between 1404 and 1454 after the remain…”. the facility to control remotely) and the property lands were granted by charter to the Kennedy’s The spiral stair in the Stair Tower was added at was rewired and redecorated throughout. Both after a marriage with a local heiress. It was from a time when the house was moving from a more the house and the tower were wired to provide here that David Kennedy, First Earl of Cassillis, fortified purpose to one more befitting landed media plates in most rooms (internet access, took his title in 1502. The Earls of Cassillis gentry. It allowed the interior of the tower to telephone and Sky HD) and rooms were wielded such power over South West Scotland in be remodelled although the top of the original remodelled to provide thirteen bedrooms in the 16th and early 17th centuries that they were staircase from the ballroom to the top of the Keep total (seven with en suite facilities and five with known as the Kings of Carrick. “The history of the is the original 15th century staircase. dressing rooms), three further bathrooms and two turbulent Kings of Carrick,” wrote Nigel Tranter, The two storey front was added by David Bryce WCs, a cinema and a gymnasium. “was one long catalogue of violence, savagery, between 1830 and 1832 for the 12th Earl and and sudden death.” In more settled times, the The Coach House, Garden Cottage and the is one of the earliest examples of the Scottish earldom passed in 1759 to Sir Thomas Kennedy West Gate Lodge have also been restored to the Baronial style. David Bryce was a partner in of Culzean, and Culzean Castle became the family same exacting building specifications to provide William Burn’s architectural practice, and his work seat. Culzean was presented to the National Trust additional accommodation, ideally suited for staff was heavily influenced by Burn. There is some for Scotland in 1945 by the 5th Marquess of Ailsa or holiday lets. suggestion that this work may have even inspired and in the 1950s the family took up residence the style as it was so early in Bryce’s career. The standard of works undertaken is to a once again at Cassillis. commercial specification, thus facilitating the use In more recent times, the refurbishment of the The name Cassillis derives from the Gaelic of Cassillis as a corporate venue. castle by the current owner was tracked and caiseal, meaning stone fort. Nigel Tranter in ‘The featured in the BBC documentary programme Fortified House in Scotland’, writes: C2 C3 C4 situation The castle, with attendant gate lodge, garden cottage and walled garden, coach house and stable block, stands in 309 acres of policies and grass parks in rolling South Ayrshire countryside only a short distance from the coast. Ayr is about 7 miles to the north and provides a wide range of shops, supermarkets, professional services and schools, most notably Wellington School which offers private co- education. The Ayrshire coast is famous worldwide for golf, with championship courses at Royal Troon, Prestwick shooting. Red, roe and fallow deer stalking is and Turnberry, all of which have hosted the Open also readily available. Only a short distance to Championship. Ayr Racecourse has regular race the north is the popular sailing area of the Firth of meetings and hosts the Scottish Grand National. Clyde with yachting marinas at Troon, and further Glasgow City Centre is easily accessible by up the coast at Largs and Inverkip. both rail and road and is widely regarded as a Prestwick Airport is about 3 miles to the north of vibrant and dynamic city with one of the UK’s best Ayr and has services to London Stansted and shopping districts. Edinburgh, Scotland’s famous many European destinations. Glasgow Airport capital city, lies just over 93 miles to the north- (45 miles) and Edinburgh Airport (81 miles) east. provide a wide range of domestic, European and The south west of Scotland is noted for its field international flights. sports, including pheasant, partridge and grouse C5 Cassillis Castle From a high bank, Cassillis towers over the River Doon. It is approached through electric gates via a private tarred drive which follows the River Doon through immaculate grounds past the Gate Lodge, Garden Cottage and Stable Block to a gravelled parking area. Laid out over five floors, the accommodation is as shown on the accompanying floor plans. The Drawing Room bears a strong resemblance to William Burn’s work, although it is thought that it was the work of David Bryce. Vast windows flood the room with natural light, and whilst the fireplace forms a centrepiece for the room, it is undoubtedly trumped by the fine ceiling plasterwork. The Inner Hall and Dining Room also have grand fireplaces, and the glazed roof in the hall is another quest for natural light. C6 The spiral staircase is part of the original Keep of Cassillis, and is built clockwise to ensure an easy defence by a right-handed swordsman. Of particular note is the exquisite hollow central stone pillar. Nigel Tranter in ‘The Fortified House in Scotland’ writes: “A detail of unusual interest is the very wide newel or centre- post of the 17th century turnpike stair, which has been found to be hollow from top to bottom, with stones projecting within to form steps, and small slits admitting light from the stairway proper”. It is not known what purpose this feature served, though it was probably for lighting the staircase in an otherwise darker corner of the castle. Today electric lights have replaced traditional candles or oil lamps. C7 7 C8 The Ballroom and adjacent Library were originally the bedroom and living quarters of the Earls of Cassillis. vAt almost 30’ in length and 20’ in width, the Ballroom is a superb room for entertaining, with windows overlooking the River Doon below. The original nurseries have been converted to provide a bedroom and en suite bathroom of generous proportions, but an unusual arched passageway through the original 15th century, 16’ to 18’ thick castle wall provides a secondary access between the rooms, designed for staff. The same passageway services the East and West Chintz bedrooms on the floor above. The portcullis door marks the original Norman-style entrance to the Keep. From this entrance, a secret staircase (not marked on the layout plans) leads up to the East Chintz Room. At the top of the steps a faded, hand painted notice on the wall advises staff that this staircase was for the use of the Earl and his family only; the sign reads ‘Step no further Master Porter!’. The Bartizan bedrooms at the top of the Keep have been restored to their likely 17th century layout. During the restoration programme the original stone building, which would have been surrounded by battlements, and a small room were discovered, having being hidden since the 17th century alterations. The East Bartizan bedroom has been restored to reflect an 18th century refurbishment with panelling and cornicing. In the West Bartizan bedroom a medieval vaulted ceiling was discovered and although it was in a poor condition the shape of the ceiling has been left along with a hidden entrance to the secret room which was also revealed.