Glenapp Castle

Unlike the many castles that became part of Scotland's history of warring Clans, Glenapp Castle's story is a peaceful one that began in the 19th century. The estate it stands on was once owned by the Earl of Orkney, then later acquired in 1870 by the industrialist James Hunter. When Hunter became Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire, he sought a grand residence befitting his status. He commissioned the renowned Edinburgh architect David Bryce, who was a leading name working with Scottish Baronial styles.

Decades later in 1917, the estate came into the hands of James Lyle Mackay, the first Earl of Inchcape, who made his name as a successful shipping magnate. His family held considerable wealth and fame, as he was the chairman of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. Meanwhile, his daughter, Elsie Mackay, was a celebrated actress, interior designer, and pioneering aviator. Unfortunately, Elsie lost her life in 1928 in an attempt to make a record-setting transatlantic flight.

Glenapp Castle fell into a period of neglect until it was purchased by the McMillan family in 1994. A lineage of passionate hoteliers, the McMillans painstakingly renovated and restored the castle and estate, including replanting its lush gardens. They opened Glenapp in 2000 as a luxury hotel, allowing guests to experience the elegance of old-world Scottish high society. In 2015, Paul and Poppy Szkiler acquired the castle from the McMillans, and continue its operation today as part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection.

Built in 1870 and designed by renowned architect David Bryce, Glenapp Castle boasts one of the finest examples of Scottish Baronial architecture of its era. The exteriors are made of mellow sandstone walls and adorned with crenellated battlements, turrets, and towers, giving it a classic fairytale silhouette.

Within the castle walls, guests will be captivated by Glenapp's heritage grandeur. The stone walls are enlivened by the bright natural light from the large windows. Period architectural elements such as wood panelling and carved cornices are complemented by antique furnishings and artworks, creating an atmosphere of authentic old-world luxury. Guest suites are all individually styled, many with fabulous period touches such as four-poster beds, while also offering modern amenities and comforts.

Completing the estate are its resplendent gardens and woodlands, carefully brought back to life during the ownership of the McMillans. Visitors and guests can take leisurely walks along the flowering bushes, woodland paths, and peaceful ponds. There's also a walled garden featuring a historic Victorian glasshouse, now home to the fine dining restaurant, The Azalea.

Experience incredible dining experiences at Glenapp Castle, from refined Scottish gourmet to continental cuisine. Driven by excellence and committed to refined yet sustainable dining, guests can look forward to award-winning culinary magic that has won Glenapp 3 AA Rosettes from The AA motoring association.

Castle Dining

The castle’s main dining halls provide wonderful mealtimes amidst a stunning historic ambiance. Guests may choose from a variety of options, such as a multi-course tasting menu, a shorter à la carte menu, or a three-course gourmet menu.
Gourmet Lunch: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Dinner: 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

The Azalea

The Azalea is housed in an expansive historic Victorian glasshouse, located within the castle’s walled garden. Focused on fine, five-star cuisine, The Azalea blends horticulture and gastronomy, using many of the wonderful ingredients grown in Glenapp's organic garden.
Friday & Saturday: 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Sunday: 12:30 pm - 3 pm

Afternoon Tea

Indulge in a cozy afternoon cuppa, served either within the castle or at The Azalea. Your choice of beverage goes best with the flavorful desserts prepared fresh every day.
Availability: 12:30 pm - 3 pm

Glenapp Castle isn't just a magical setting for your destination wedding; it's also very versatile and provides numerous venues and packages that will fit the vision of your perfect day. Small, intimate nuptial ceremonies and receptions can be set in the gardens or in indoor locations such as the library. Slightly larger groups of up to 70 guests can also use the gardens for their vows. For grand celebrations involving hundreds of guests, Glenapp can prepare an expansive marquee set beneath the castle's towers, or make the whole estate available for privatization.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

Arguably fitting for its enchanting setting, Glenapp Castle and its estate offer a diverse array of experiences that will match your desired stay experience. Whether you seek serenity, recuperation, nature, adventure, or heritage.

For those who want an active holiday, you can sign up for archery lessons, or play tennis, croquet, and French boules. Take your adventure outside the hotel grounds by mountain biking or taking guided hikes through woodland and coastal trails. Canoeing or kayaking in local lochs and coastline waters is also a good choice for exploring the area. Learn all about forest survival by joining foraging sessions guided by experts, teaching you about wild food such as mushrooms, herbs, and coastal plants. Aside from animals out in the wild, you can also make friends with the estate's de facto mascots; the Highland cattle can be interacted with in petting and brushing sessions, while the Ayr eagles are part of the castle's Eagle Odyssey experience.

If you'd like to explore further out beyond Glenapp, the castle offers boat-based excursions around the region. Take half-day trips to the iconic Ailsa Craig, or full-day trips to the scenic Isle of Arran. If you just can't help wanting to see the local wildlife, there are also sea-safari adventures, which involve visiting remote islands, spotting marine and bird life, and glamping under the stars.

Glenapp Castle makes good use of its vast estate and beautiful architecture to provide a versatile venue for all sorts of private events, celebrations, and company gatherings. Through its Exclusive Use booking, guests have the opportunity to take over an elegant 19th-century castle in its entirety, granting privacy and freedom for families, friends, and corporate groups to enjoy the estate.

For large or more formal events like corporate retreats or conferences, the castle has a good selection of well-designed venues. The main drawing room accommodates up to 75 guests, and there are smaller break-out rooms for up to 35 people. A dedicated conference organiser will be attached to your event and will help coordinate logistics, so you can focus on the agenda.

For personal celebrations, such as birthdays and anniversaries, Glenapp has bespoke private dining and banquet services. Guests can choose from a range of elegant indoor rooms, each suitable for different group sizes. For instance, the cozy Library for small gatherings, or larger halls such as the McDowell Room or Invergordon Room for more substantial events. A dedicated events team for private dining works with you to tailor menus, along with the decor and theme, to suit the nature of your celebration.

Glenapp Castle approaches sustainability as an ongoing commitment and has made great strides in saving and protecting the environment. The castle has been integrating environmental responsibility into the day-to-day operations, and has taken many meaningful steps to reduce its ecological footprint. These include improving energy efficiency by modernising aging systems with newer and environmentally safer technology. The estate also provides an on-site electric vehicle charging station to encourage low-carbon travel.

Within the grounds, wildlife habitats are studied and protected, with ecological assessments carried out before any work that might disturb the local denizens. The estate also has its own apiaries, supporting pollination and proliferation of biodiversity across the region.

Another focus is Glenapp's “seed-to-service” approach to food. Much of the produce served in its kitchens is grown directly in the organic gardens and Victorian glasshouse, reducing emissions and fuel consumption while ensuring access to fresh, seasonal ingredients. Items not grown on the estate are sourced from local partner farms and fishers. The castle has also significantly reduced waste by cutting single-use plastics, using refillable toiletries, and implementing recycling across the hotel.