With springtime finally upon us, castles and estates across Ayrshire are beginning to reopen to the public.
Luckily, there are dozens of amazing sites throughout the region, providing plenty of places for a family day out if the weather is good.
If you're looking for historic gems to explore near you, here are some of the most beautiful castles and estates open now.
The most beautiful castles and estates you can visit across Ayrshire
Here are some of the most beautiful castles across Ayrshire you can visit this spring and summer.
Culzean Castle
Opening times: 10:30am to 4:30pm (last entry 4pm) - closes on Tuesday, April 16 for essential maintenance.
Description: Described as "opulent to the extreme" by the National Trust for Scotland, the castle was the "playground" of David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis.
Featuring "flamboyant" gardens and spectacular turrets, this is a great place for a summer day out.
Dean Castle
Opening times: 11am to 3pm from Monday to Friday - 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Description: Dean Castle is a fantastic free day out for the family and is located in over 200 acres of country park at the heart of Kilmarnock.
The 14th-century castle was recently renovated and houses a world-class collection of intriguing treasures, according to East Ayrshire Leisure.
Dundonald Castle
Opening times: Between 10am and 5pm (last castle tour at 3:30pm and last entry at 4pm).
Description: Dundonald Castle is said to be one of Scotland's most unexplored outdoor attractions and was the historic home of King Robert II, the grandson of the famous Robert the Bruce.
The castle also has links to the Stewart dynasty, the Wallace family the Cochranes, favourites to Charles II.
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Kelburn Castle and Estate
Opening times: 10am to 6pm daily.
Description: Well-known for the bright and colourful graffiti on its exterior walls, Kelbrun Castle hosts numerous events annually such as the ongoing 'Alice in Easterland' trail (which runs until April 14).
The castle was once the seat of the Earl of Glasgow and was originally built in the 13th century. However, in the 16th century, it was remodelled before extensions were made to the structure in 1700.
Eglinton Castle
Opening times: All year
Description: Now a ruin, Eglinton Castle, located south of Kilwinning, was once the ancient seat of the Earls of Eglinton.
The Gothic-style structure was built between 1797 and 1802 after the original castle was burned down by the Earl of Glencairn in 1528.
When the first stone was laid for the new building, the 12th Earl was proud to have the ceremony performed by Alexander Hamilton of Grange, the grandfather of the American Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton.
Sadly, the castle was abandoned in 1925 when the poor condition and upkeep of the building took its toll on the family's finances.
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