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