A NEW era is dawning at an historic Ayrshire castle which has lain abandoned since the mid-18th century.

Baltersan Castle is thought to have inspired designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, was visited by Robert Burns, and a restoration plan was even pitched on Dragons’ Den.

The 440-year-old landmark near Maybole now has a new owner, with its latest custodian picking up the baton from a man who has dedicated more than 30 years to safeguarding the roofless ruin and attracting interest to revive it.

Italian computer engineer Angelo Ovidi has completed a deal to buy the site outright for an undisclosed amount, having previously been part of the small Lichtsome Hoose partnership led by retired sales professional James Brown.

He wants to restore the category A-listed castle - with hopes that it could become home to a music school and arts events venue funded in part by the launch of a food and drink brand.

(Image: Jamie Simpson) Mr Ovidi, a self-employed consultant now based in North Wales, first became interested in Baltersan while looking at investment opportunities in 2018.

He said: “This is a fantastic place and I am excited to become its custodian.

“Baltersan has so much history and I am sure we can use that as a brand to generate income through local produce to both protect the castle’s future and support the local community.

“It is not impossible for us to restore this property if everything goes to plan, although I am trying to keep my feet on the ground.

“Restoration can be done in different stages. The first is to make the castle stable, then fix the bigger problem.

"I am keen to work with Scottish specialists, including Scottish stonemasons, to do all of this.”

The cost of full restoration has been estimated at up to £2 million.

Nicholas Howie, an Ayrshire-raised corporate lawyer at Lindsays who advised the sellers, believes it represents an appetite to invest in historic Scottish landmarks which capture the imagination.

In handing over ownership of Baltersan, Mr Brown presented Mr Ovidi with a 'Crossraguel Penny', part of a hoard discovered at nearby Crossraguel Abbey in about 1900, as well as a box of “earth, stone and grounds” from the land, as would have been the tradition in Ayrshire centuries ago.

(Image: Jamie Simpson) Mr Brown, who lives in Ayr, fell in love with castles - and the idea of owning one - as a child and was first drawn to Baltersan after spotting it while travelling for work.

He bought the castle in 1992, starting a remarkable journey - and investment - to try and restore the site as a visitor attraction, securing planning permission for work as well as securing a £500,000 offer from Historic Environment Scotland to support any works.

The global financial crash of 2008, however, shattered hopes of that plan materialising.

Mr Brown, who has made international headlines through his work at the castle and made his pitch to the Dragons’ Den in 2015, added: “In many ways, it’s with a heavy heart that I have parted with the place.

“But I can feel Angelo’s commitment to restoring the building. He has exciting plans.”

Mr Ovidi, who is keen to speak to local food and drink producers about becoming part of the Baltersan brand, has described the former owner as a “hero” for his work to preserve the landmark.

“James has done so much for this castle - an immense job,” he said. “Without his work, none of what I now hope to achieve would be possible.

“There is a lot of hard work to do. But I really do believe that we can do big things here. The history of the place can support a real business opportunity which, in turn, can support the restoration of Baltersan, which could be a fantastic venue for events.”

Mr Ovidi was represented in his legal work by Peter McNamara of Ayr legal firm, Lockharts Law.