Brodick Castle is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It is a great place to visit - whatever…read morethe weather. On a wet day there is plenty to see in the Castle, on a nicer day ther's extensive gardens and walks round the country park too. There's also the Ranger Centre and an adventure playground for the children, as well as a tearoom and shop. The Castle itself is impressive. You enter into a hallway and as as far as you can see up the wall there are stag's heads - complete with antlers. You then go up the sweeping staircase and start touring the rooms - the Duchesses' bedroom, bathroom, the drawing room (complete with family crests carved on the ceiling), the dining room, kitchens and many more. Don't miss Bruce's Room. There's also a lot of art, silver, china and more to see - and don't miss the room near the end of the tour with the silver all displayed in it - there are some unusual pieces - and some the children are sure to like (like the cow cream pourers). And whatever you do - do not miss The House that Henry and Anne Built - it's the biggest, most detailed, fullest doll's house I have ever seen - it's amazing.

It's very sad to see this ruin when you've looked at the old photos and paintings from its days of…read moregrandeur. It was originally a fabulous and immense castellated Gothic mansion, built in sandstone for the Earl of Eglinton and his family between 1797 and 1802. It included a central 100 ft high round keep and four 70 ft towers; it really was very grand and was surrounded by a moat. However, the castle gradually fell into disrepair and the family was unable to finance any renovations. They deserted their home in 1925 and all the contents were sadly all auctioned, including many (priceless and irreplaceable) historical artifacts, and then the roof was removed a year later and even the lead sold. During World War II the castle was greatly damaged during army training there another appalling sacrilege. When it was decided to open the country park to the public in the 1970s, even more of the castle was demolished as it was considered unsafe. Only a small part of the walls and one tower has survived to this day. I give only four stars, not because so little of the castle remains, but because there is no information about it at the site. When you visit the castle there isn't even one sign giving the history (unless, somehow, I missed it!), only a general overview at the Visitor Centre itself, and I really think much more could be made of this fascinating old ruin that was once the very impressive seat of the Eglinton family.

I discovered this castle today! There's a pleasant walk to it from Fairlie Station or the corner of…read moreCastlepark Gardens you can go up one way and down the other (as we did). Facing the station, turn onto the narrow footpath to the left, over the bridge, turn right by Argyll Cottage, through a gateway and then follow the path uphill. It's rocky and a bit slippery when wet with a bit of a drop on the right hand side down to the burn, so take care! You'll pass lovely little waterfalls and see many wild flowers and birdlife not to mention the beautiful views back down over the Clyde. Partway up the path (you can actually continue for a longer walk but I don't know how far it goes) you'll come to Fairlie Castle actually a keep of four levels. There's no access to the interior as the entrance is blocked up. Now roofless, it's a plain rectangular tower built in the 15th century. It measures 45ft 5ins by 29ft I looked that up as I didn't take a tape measure with me! ;-) Apparently it was the Ross family who built the Castle; they lived there until the 17th century but by the end of the 19th century, unfortunately, it was nothing more than a ruin.

This National Trust for Scotland property is well worth a visit. The Castle itself is a fascinating…read morebuilding with a lot to see inside it, ranging from the formal drawing room with the conversation seat, to the kitchens and Bruce's Room. The bathroom with the Victorian shower is one of my favourites as I've not seen anything similar anywhere else. The tearoom and shop are both very good - great home baking at the tearoom. The Ranger Centre is well worth a visit. There's interesting displays there and it's very child-friendly. There's often Ranger-led walks and other events which are educational and fun. There's a wildlife garden near the Ranger Centre, and many nature trails and walking trails through the grounds of the Country Park. The Castle Gardens are lovely to wander round in, and they vary a lot through the year. May is beautiful when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom, but the walled garden is probably at its best a little later when the roses are in bloom. There's a lovely sundial there too with following words on it: The kiss of the sun for pardon The song of the birds for mirth You are nearer God's heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth.

I can't believe there's not a review for this already. This is Arran's Eiffel Tower, Blue Lagoon,…read moreForbidden City. It's the cultural and historical landmark that you have to visit if you go to that place. If you've ever been to Culzean Castle across the bay on the mainland, it's very similar, but a bit smaller (Scotland in miniature in everything). It's got a castle with well-maintained historical aritfacts and enthusiastic and educated NTS guides. It's got a walled garden. It's got tons of paths and amazing views. Great for a whole day with the family or just a wee picnic and a whirl round the gardens.

Beautiful Castle. Famous family! They knew the Lady Diana Spencer family. Come here to see the…read morestag's on the wall, the guns, and the beautiful rooms. The docent are very informative. Nice cafe for lunch too! Gardens are beautiful!!!

I like going to there, just for the walks and taking in all the lovely views of the inverclyde…read morearea, and overlooking the firth of Clyde. The views are stunning as ever.

We popped in here on a crisp November day as it seemed to be the only place that was open. I'm so…read moreglad we did - it was lovely! The Victorian mansion has been renovated in a modern style, and it's very light and airy inside. The museum part is just small, but it provides a fascinating history of the Isle of Cumbrae and the town of Millport. Very informative! As well as the museum and the library, there's also a cafe, an outside courtyard out the back, and a small shop selling crafts made by local people. Well worth a visit.

Hill House is one of the most approachable of Mackintosh's buildings, as it is one you can relate…read moreto on a very human scale. It was a commission for a family home, and consequently it's not as large as some of his other works. What is so astonishing is how contemporary the rooms still look today, a testament to the enduring quality of Mackintosh's designs. The highlight for me is the downstairs lounge with its large window alcove - it's just a fantastic room to be in and really demonstrates that first and foremost, this was a family home that was meant to be lived in. The boy's bedroom with its under-stair toy cupboard-cum-den is also great. How I would have loved a room like that as a child! The upstairs rooms are largely given over to Trust displays and exhibitions about the house, Mackintosh and his work. The displays about the choices of shapes and colours used are particularly interesting and give an insight into the design ethos that underlies all of Mackintosh's work - an approach that today we could call nothing less than holistic. There are two NT shops as well, one selling (as you would expect) Mackintosh-themed designs; the other more select artisanal and designer wares.

Students of art history will enjoy this place. Certainly is it shows off the style to good effect…read more Pretty but impractical and eventually there is just too much of a good thing and it can leave you a little jaded. Standard NTS prices and these are quite exciting at £9 a head.