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Auchinleck (also known as Achinlek, Affleck)

Introduction

The late-18th-century house at Auchinleck was home to James Boswell, the diarist and author. The house was restored in the late-20th century by the Landmark Trust. Some features of the 18th- and 19th-century parkland and woodland layout survive.

Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
History

Auchinleck House was built between 1755 and 1760 by Alexander Boswell, 8th Laird of Auchinleck (1707-1782) and the father of James Boswell (1740-1795) the celebrated diarist and biographer of Samuel Johnson.

During the 17th and 18th centuries a designed landscape was laid out, distinguished by a variety of woodland planting features.

In the late-20th century the house was acquired by the Landmark Trust and restored with grants from Historic Scotland and from private donors.

Associated People
Features & Designations

Designations

  • Historic Environment Scotland Listed Building

  • Reference: Ha-ha
  • Grade: B
  • Historic Environment Scotland Listed Building

  • Reference: Stables
  • Grade: B
  • Historic Environment Scotland Listed Building

  • Reference: The "ten Shilling Side" Bridge
  • Grade: B
  • Historic Environment Scotland Listed Building

  • Reference: The High Bridge
  • Grade: C(S)
  • Historic Environment Scotland Listed Building

  • Reference: The Iron Bridge
  • Grade: B
  • Historic Environment Scotland Listed Building

  • Reference: Water Tower or Dovecote
  • Grade: B

Features

  • Doocot
  • Ruin
  • Description: The ruins of the medieval Auchinleck Castle.
  • House (featured building)
  • Earliest Date:
Key Information

Type

Country Estate

Purpose

Ornamental

Principal Building

Historic House

Survival

Part: standing remains

Open to the public

Yes

References

References

  • Peter McGowan Associates with Christopher Dingwall, 'Auchinleck', in {Ayrshire Garden and Designed Landscape Survey} (Prestwick: South Ayrshire Council, 2007) [on CD-ROM]
  • Millar, A. H., {The Castles and Mansions of Ayrshire with Historical and Descriptive Accounts} (Glasgow: Grimsay Press, 2004), pp. 24-5
  • Close, R. (ed), {Ayrshire and Arran: An Illustrated Architectural Guide} (Edinburgh: The Rutland Press, 1992), pp. 152-3
  • Gordon, J. (ed), {The New Statistical Account of Scotland} ([n.p.]: [n.pub.], 1845), Vol. V, pp. 322-32
  • {Ordnance Survey County Series Six Inch} (Southampton, 1854)
  • Captain M. J. Armstrong and Son {A New Map of Ayrshire} (1775)
  • William Roy {Military Survey of Scotland} (1750)
  • Joan Blaeu {Atlas Novus - South Carrick/North Carrick/Kyle/Cunninghame} (Amsterdam, 1654)
  • Coventry, M., {The Castles of Scotland} (Edinburgh: Goblinshead, 1997), p. 61