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Historic 2000 acre Estate in rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick .

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Photo gallery for Historic 2000 acre Estate in rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick .

Exterior
View of the house from the pond
The front of the house from the lime tree avenue.
House from the battlement walk
The house can be floodlit making an impressive sight for late arrivals.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Parking available
  • Breakfast available
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Housekeeping
NZ$6,452
avg per night

Explore the area

Map
Hurlford, Scotland
  • Dean Castle Country Park
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • The Garage
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Dean Castle
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Glasgow (PIK-Prestwick)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

10 bedrooms (sleeps 26)

Blue King 2nd Floor

1 King Bed

Blue Tower King

1 King Bed

Blue Twin 2nd Floor

2 Single Beds

Dressing Room King

1 King Bed

Pink 1st Floor King or Twin

2 Single Beds

Pink Queen 2nd Floor

1 Queen Bed

Shower Room King or Twin

2 Single Beds

Yellow 1st Floor King or Twin

2 Single Beds

Yellow 2nd Floor King or Twin

2 Single Beds

Yellow Tower King or Twin

2 Single Beds

10 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 6

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 7

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 8

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 9

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 10

Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

Room

  • 1858.1 sq m
  • Sleeps 26
  • 3 King Beds, 1 Queen Bed and 12 Single Beds
Price is NZ$6,452 avg per night,

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About the area

Kilmarnock

Located in Kilmarnock, this castle is in a rural area. Dick Institute and The Garage are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Kidz Play and Treasure Trails. Travelling with kids? Consider LA Bowl and Pirate Pete's Family Entertainment Centre. Discover the area's water adventures with power boating and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and cycling.

What's nearby

  • Dean Castle Country Park - 9 min drive - 10.9 km
  • The Garage - 14 min drive - 12.7 km
  • Rugby Park - 16 min drive - 13.6 km
  • Dean Castle - 16 min drive - 14.8 km
  • Royal Troon Golf Club - 17 min drive - 18.4 km

Getting around

  • Kilmarnock Station - 15 min drive
  • Glasgow (PIK-Prestwick) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪KFC - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Poosie Nansies Inn - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Failford Inn - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Crafty Coffee - ‬9 min drive

About this property

Historic 2000 acre Estate in rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick .

Dating back over 500 years to the Wallace family, new additions were added in 1843 and today, the interiors are elegantly appointed with generations of antiques and artwork. Carnell is a welcoming family home bookable for exclusive use; the spacious reception rooms comfortably accommodate up to 20 guests in the main part with a further 6 guests in the newly converted East Tower (by separate booking).

The main part of Carnell offers 10 bedrooms for guests. All have modern bathrooms and the rooms are equipped with large king or twin beds, fine linens and duvets. The newly converted East Tower provides a fully self-contained suite with a king bedroom, sitting room, bathroom, kitchen with dining area. A further 2 bedrooms with bathrooms are on the floor above. The East Wing is available as a separate booking but will not be offered to other guests if you are booking Carnell.

There are 2000 acres of gardens, parkland and farms surrounding Carnell for guests to enjoy. There is a hard tennis court, fishing on both the pond and the river as well as croquet and outdoor table tennis. There is a gym with an infrared sauna and indoor table tennis. Pheasant, partridge and duck shooting is available in season from 01 October to 31 January. It is also possible to go stalking subject to the various seasonal restrictions. Outside of these dates, we can also offer clay-pigeon shooting as well as trout and salmon fishing on the River Ayr.

A full household staff looks after you and your party from time of enquiry to your departure. The team aim for a friendly but unobtrusive style of service allowing you to enjoy your house party to the full. For this service, we charge a Daily Guest Fee per person which is dependent on the number of guests & requirements but as a guide starts at £165 plus VAT per person per day based on a minimum of 16 guests in 2025. This fee is in addition to the rental fee. This fee includes twice daily housekeeping and all meals and drinks with up to one bottle of wine or equivalent per day. We agree menus with you before you arrive. These are usually based on traditional British dishes using fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Our excellent Chef can also cater to most dietary requirements. For those parties celebrating special occasions, we can organise music, dancing, photography, flowers, etc..

The dining room comfortably accommodates 26 guests. There is also a large outdoor dining area by the croquet lawn which can be tented and accommodates up to 40 guests. There is further dining on the Tower Terrace for smaller numbers and the John Knox Room can also be used for up to 12 guests. If you are planning a small wedding party, dining can be extended to 40 guests subject to additional charges in the main dining room.

A few people do ask about self-catering but the size of the house doesn't lend itself to this.

Whilst the house is set in rolling countryside, the nearby towns of Troon, Prestwick, Ayr and Kilmarnock are within a short drive and offer a choice of large shops, cinemas and theatres.

Glasgow is 30 minutes drive with an international airport and excellent rail links throughout Scotland and to England. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is 15 minutes drive and has flights from Europe and has an FBO for private jets. Edinburgh Airport is 75 minutes drive. Transfers can be arranged.

Some of the world's top golf courses are within an easy drive including, Royal Troon, Prestwick, Trump Turnberry, Western Gailles and Dundonald.

Local places of interest include Dumfries House, Culzean Castle which are both open to the public.

Edinburgh & Loch Lomond are approximately 75 minutes drive.

Property manager

Adrienne Eastwood
Premier Host

Amenities

Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Gym
Breakfast available
Parking available
Housekeeping

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 40
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses wind energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock
Property Registration Number 8787-2999-9803-5273

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic 2000 acre Estate in rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick . pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic 2000 acre Estate in rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick .?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic 2000 acre Estate in rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick .?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Historic 2000 acre Estate in rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick . located?

Located in a rural location, this family-friendly castle is within 9 mi (15 km) of Ballochmyle Golf Club, The Garage and Dean Castle Country Park. Kay Park and Peden's Cave are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Historic 2000 acre Estate in rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick . Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 11 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 11 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sarah T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magical Stay
Everything was perfect - what a treat to stay here!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Miles H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful
It’s hard to put into words how amazing this stay was. The home is historic and beautiful, the grounds are gorgeous, and the people were kind and attentive. Way beyond a five star stay. Lifetime experience. Thanks
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sean T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Stay!!!
Carnell exceeded all expectations! The estate was wonderful, the staff was exemplary, The food was incredible. Adrienne was so helpful we couldn't have done it without her.
Stayed 15 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An Unforgettable Stay at Carnell Estates
We had the absolute pleasure of staying at Carnell Estates, and it was an exceptional experience for my family and close friends. The property itself is breathtaking, with its stunning grounds and beautifully maintained historic charm. From the moment we arrived, we felt like we were being welcomed into a warm and inviting home. Adrienne and Mickey were amazing hosts, going above and beyond to make our stay special. Their entire staff was delightful, seeing to every need of our large group with ease and professionalism. One of the highlights was a traditional haggis ceremony arranged by Adrienne, complete with a piper and a Robert Burns poet—such a unique and memorable touch! She also arranged a Scottish folk band with dance instruction, which brought so much fun and joy to our evening. The care and attention to detail at Carnell Estates made our time there truly unforgettable. We can't wait to return for another visit!
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

sharon b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I don’t want to go home
We are just leaving beautiful Carnell… 10 friends, spent a week, and every minute was heaven! Adrienne and her staff make you feel at home in this incredible estate. We have never had a chef that prepared such delicious meals… Even haggis! You will love it here… So sad to leave.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas K., Belmont

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Once in a lifetime trip
Where to begin? We had booked the Carnell Estate property for a family reunion 6 months previously with lofty expectations. Adrienne and Micky, our hosts, made sure that all our expectations were exceeded!. It was spectacular; the surroundings, the manor, the food, the staff, and fortunately the weather. Our family re-connected in exactly the way I had hoped. It was truly a memorable trip, and we are incredibly grateful to have had this experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

keith c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A most exqisite experience
The estate and the mansion/castle are everything advertised...incredibly comfortable, luxurious and historic and more. However, we were really overwhelmed with the service, the staff and the proprietors. They went above and beyond every day with gourmet food, flexibility when our plans or the weather shifted. Just when we thought we had experienced the best, Four Seasons' level of service, we were positively surprised again. Thank you Adrienne, Mickey, Lewis, Lorna and the rest of the staff! We will be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joe L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The most amazing place!
What an absolutely fabulous place. Adrienne and her wonderful hardworking team could not do enough for our party of 18. From the entire booking process/communication with Adrienne that involved extensive dietary requirements, plus the organisation of activities including clay pigeon shooting, archery and air rifling, professional whisky tasting, arranging a piper and having an official Robbie Burns address to the haggis superbly undertaken by Barney. There was wonderful food constantly provided by our superb chef, all served by friendly and attentive staff and there was never anything that was too much trouble, the level of service was such that they were always there for us but kept a quiet distance so we felt super comfortable. All bedrooms and en-suites were fabulous, the dining room magnificent and the beautiful hallway and drawing rooms with their fabulous fireplaces. A special thank you to MJ who was a star at getting red wine out of shirts, jumpers and carpets and for being so patient with us. Thank you all SO much for such a wonderful experience over Hogmanay, we will never forget it, the Loader/Davey/Sullivan family
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic Scotland Experience
Carnell was the perfect spot for our Scotland trip. In Mickey's family for 700 years, the historic estate is beautiful, and Adrienne and Mickey are wonderful hosts. The lovely and helpful staff, especially MJ, made our visit so relaxing. There are too many activities available to count. During our stay we rode Clydesdales on the beach in Ayr, enjoyed multiple hacks on Gypsy Vanners on the estate, visited castles and spent an afternoon at the Highland Games, happened upon a Robert Burns World Federation meeting in Kilmarnock and were invited to attend, visited the Isle of Arran and climbed Goatfell mountain, took a steam train to the highlands, went fly fishing and clay pigeon shooting, had afternoon tea in Glasgow, shopped an impossible number of thrift stores looking for hidden treasures, and even had our marriage blessed over the anvil in Gretna Green. We looked forward to the chef's delicious dinners at the estate, and Adrienne even arranged a Scottish evening with a harpist, a piper, and a Burns recitation on our penultimate night. Those in our party who preferred less activity during the day spent time relaxing on the estate and enjoying the multi-course catered lunches. There is something for everyone, and the weather was a welcome change for all from our muggy, Virginia summer. We can't say enough good things about the trip and our new friends Adrienne and Mickey.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kevin H., Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A unique and unforgettable experience
The idiosyncrasies that come with a home of this age are part of the charm of staying in such a piece of living history. Unlike many estates throughout Europe and UK, Carnell has not been stripped bare of it’s family treasures. Small heirlooms of crystal, porcelain and silver are everywhere, mixed in with family photos and artwork. The grounds are beautifully maintained with an endless array of places to explore. The house itself is as impressive from the outside as the inside and very photogenic. There is exotic wildlife everywhere. While formal in initial appearance, the atmosphere is anything but stuffy; the addition of Micky and Adrienne’s 3 dogs, and the occasional appearance of Micky at cocktail hour added warmth and familiarity. Service: This was a surprise in that it exceeded our already high expectations. Adrienne has experience in hospitality and it really shows. She and Micky have assembled a team which is second to none. Our family is very casual so it was important that the service did not feel intimidating or stuffy. Each member of the team felt like family after 7 days. There were simply too many small details to mention here. They were amazing. Likewise, the chef did an outstanding job in providing a full immersion into Scottish culture. The staff was present from early in the morning to late in the evening to ensure every detail was attended to, from the starting of the fire to welcome everyone in the morning to meeting every need until all had retired in the evening. Communication: Adrienne’s attention to detail is impressive. She listens to what you have to say, and then makes it happen. We had many special requests throughout our stay and each was accommodated without having to ask twice. Over the years we have dealt with many of the best concierges in the world. Adrienne’s communication skills are truly unsurpassed when compared with this high standard. Value: Although Carnell is certainly an expensive proposition for a family of 20+ people it does represent a good value for the level of service you receive. We left the experience feeling that we got more than our money’s worth. Conclusion: We had a very specific vision in mind for the family and Carnell delivered on that vision, meeting and exceeding our expectations on every level.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Seth G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Carnell Estates is Phenomenal!
We rented this property as a HQ for a week of business surrounding COP26 and had 13 of us total plus a number of additional guests for dinners. The estate is absolutely spectacular - right out of a movie. Everything was 5 star all the way. The owners were incredible as were the staff. Mess were absolutely delicious! Cannot say enough good things about the experience! If you get the chance to stay at Carnell you will love it! We hope to return again soon!!! Bravo!!!!
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2021