USP Castle in the Air(bnb)

The 12th-century Old Castle of Rowallan has been fully opened to the public for the first time in nearly 70 years and as available for short stays.

The listed building, which was under the care of Historic Scotland until 2015, has been refurbished by

owners, the Campbell family. It’s the first such instance that a building under guardianship has been returned to private ownership.

At the heart of the Rowallan estate, near Kilmaurs in East Ayrshire, it is the ancestral home of the Mures and the Campbells and the finest specimen of Renaissance castle architecture.

Original features remain intact and the Campbells have worked with Historic Scotland for 30 years to ensure a comprehensive, sympathetic restoration that will allow it to have a viable future.

It is part of the wider Rowallan Castle Estate, which includes a 19-hole world-class gold course designed by Colin Montgomerie, 66 eco-homes and the 19th Century new castle.

Owner Niall Campbell is a builder and property developer and has

carried out restorations including the iconic Clyde Rotundas

He worked with architects James Simpson and John Sanders of Simpson and Brown to complete the castle restoration.

The entire building is available to rent via Airbnb, and sleeps up to eight people in four double bedrooms.