KELBURN Country Centre has re-opened as Viscount David Boyle told the News that the estate is slowing coming back to life after lockdown.

Considered to be one of the top outdoor attractions in Scotland, it has been difficult times for the estate with no income generated in recent months.

As a goodwill gesture, people can visit Kelburn for free but donations boxes have been set up at the entrance road to help offset costs.

The 13th century castle and 3,500 acre estate near Fairlie has been in the Boyle family since 1140. The present owner, Patrick Boyle, the 10th Earl of Glasgow, opened up the castle along with its grounds and gardens to the public in 1977.

Kelburn placed 85 per cent of its 25 strong staff on furlough with the stables manager and accountancy manager being retained for grants and payroll uses.

The head ranger lives on site and has managed to help look after the grounds, while the head gardener returned from furlough a month ago to keep on top of the grass.

David says the lockdown came as a 'complete bodyblow'.

He added: "We were shaping up for a massive Easter with lots of events happening but we have had no income and we had to make some really drastic decisions.

"The furlough has been a Godsend, without that I don't know what we would have done. It has helped us retain jobs."

David added that the re-opening was crucial as the country centre has huge winter costs to meet.

He said: "We are opening on a very limited level and we are only introducing a parking charge of £5 per car.

"The saloon, playbarn, adventure course and secret forest are currently closed.

"We are not charging entry and allowing locals to walk around the grounds for free - but any donations would be gratefully received.

"Covid-19 has had an effect on everyone, so if you can spare a few pennies to help with the upkeep of our grounds and play areas, not to mention feeding the goats, alpacas and more, we would very much appreciate it.

"We are hoping it won't be too long away until we can have campers on site and open the Secret Forest.

"It will very much be bit by bit and nice to have it slowly re-opening."

In the first four days of re-opening there were around 30 cars each day visiting the centre.

The major showpiece of the year at Kelburn is the Garden Party music festival but this has fallen foul of the pandemic.

David said: "It was a big decision to cancel it when we did, but ultimately it was the right choice.

"We have rescheduled most of the acts for next year and last year we made a small profit on the festival, which goes against the losses.

"One of the big things about it was that many of the ticketholders didn't cancel and have taken the option of coming next year so that has been important in terms of revenue going forward.

"It helped as there were a lot of costs this year from advertising to pre-bookings for contracted staff and bands, so it would have been difficult otherwise, so we are really grateful to the the festival's supporters."

Looking forward, David said he was still hoping to run traditional events at Halloween and Christmas.

He said: "With the Secret Forest hopefully having opened back up by then, we are still aiming to have some of these events but we have given up hope of having any of the major summer events.

"We had hoped to maybe do a Willie Wonka Chocolate Forest in late July/early August but this now looks unlikely.

"We are investigating the possibility of a pop up drive-through cinema with LED screens too. I think outdoor performances and the arts is another option going forward along with the usual family activities.

"It has been a very difficult time for Kelburn with weddings and major events cancelled but hopefully we can get back to some kind of normality, and we can return to our usual format in 2021."

Cllr Alex Gallagher, who heads the new economy Covid19 response renewal strategy, said: "It is good news to hear that a major attraction like Kelburn is open, even if only in a limited capacity."

The country centre is open from 10am till 4pm.

For more details, go to www.kelburnestate.com