Kelburn Castle has reopened to the public for residential use after a five year closure following a £500,000 investment.

The building which has been home to the Boyle family since 1350, has recently undergone major renovation work to enable it to host private events including weddings, parties and corporate events.

The work, which followed protracted negotiations with fire department officials to ensure it complied with safety regulations, is part of a £2.4 million investment in Kelburn Estate.

Eight bedrooms The castle, which has eight bedrooms available for public use, achieved global renown for its controversial graffiti mural that features a series of psychedelic, interwoven cartoons depicting surreal urban culture. It was completed by a group of Brazilian graffiti artists commissioned by Lord Glasgow’s son and daughter, David and Alice, in 2007 at a cost of £20,000.

It is also home to some of Scotland’s most historic heirlooms including a portrait of David Boyle, the former Lord Chief Justice of Scotland, painted by Henry Raeburn, a gown worn by Boyle when he was the judge at the trial of Burke and Hare, a sword wielded against rebels at the Indian Mutiny of 1857, a chair used at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, an original Chippendale dining table and chairs, capable of seating up to 45 people and original William Morris wallpaper.

The current Earl of Glasgow, Patrick Boyle, said the investment would allow the estate to diversify its offering and the provision of indoor facilities would make it less dependent on the weather.

“This is the biggest investment in Kelburn Castle and Estate for a century and will consolidate its status as a significant tourism and hospitality facility,” he said.

“We have some very exciting plans for the castle, which now must be the safest in Scotland, as well as for the estate which we are confident will help to make it one of the best tourist attractions, not only in Ayrshire, but in the whole country.” Lord Glasgow, a Liberal Democrat peer, closed the castle for residential use in 2008. Following extensive work, including the addition of external fire escapes and fire doors throughout, the building has now been granted a full fire safety certificate.

Those who stay in the castle will be among the last to witness the graffiti project which is to be removed after engineers discovered that the cement coating on which it is painted is causing damage to the original castle walls.

The investment was funded by the sale of 18 acres of land at the rear of Fairlie to Dawn, a developer which has plans to build 100 houses.

The estate recently completed the addition of an indoor pavilion and caravan park and there are plans to add log-cabins, yurts and teepees as part of its accommodation offering.

The pavilion, which opened last autumn, includes a self-contained kitchen to facilitate on-site catering and space for parties of up to 250 guests.