Kelburn Castle

[anteros_lmc]

Earlier today we went to visit Kelburn Castle and estate on the North Ayrshire coast. Kelburn is the oldest continually inhabited estate in Scotland, it's been the seat of Clan Boyle since the 12th century and is still the home of the Earls of Glasgow today. What Kelburn is really famous for though is graffiti. In 2007 historic architects notified the Earl that the concrete facing of the castle would have to be removed and replaced to prevent damage to the underlying stonework. Before removing the facing the Earl took the unusual step of inviting four Brazilian graffiti artists to come and decorate the facade. The graffiti was always intended to be temporary, however it has become so popular that the Earl is now seeking permission from Historic Scotland to keep it. I've watched several programes about The Grafitti Project over the last few years but this is the first time I've actually see it and I must say, I rather like it!

Kelburn is also home to three "heritage trees"; two 1000 year old yews and a weeping larch that covers almost a quarter of an acre. The yews are stunning and it's incredible to think that this part of Scotland was ruled by the Earls of Norway when they were planted!

Kelburn Castle	Kelburn Castle
Kelburn Graffiti Project	Kelburn Graffiti Project
Yew	Hawthorne
Acer	Lacecap Hydrangea
Kelburn gate	Bracket fungus
Apparently this is an angora rabbit...	I'm not convinced

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

This is so awesome! I love the way it shows up from a distance. It is so odd and cheerful.

And of course I am laughing at the Larch. "The Larch, the larch, the larch..."

I also agree with you about the rabbit. I think it is a tribble.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

"And now, for something completely different..."

I think it's a tribble too!

I can see why they want to keep the graffiti. It's delightful.

[vespican.livejournal.com]

And here we have proof, in a very round about way, that Gene Roddenberry was an HH fan.
Dave

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I had to explain to a bunch of young'uns over on tumblr the other day that the photo of a pretty lady in a taco hat that they were all cooing over and wondering who it was... was DEANNA TROI ON THE HOLODECK.

Then I realized some of them might not have been BORN when "Star Trek: Generations" came out. Which is a sobering thought.

But, roundabout or direct, yep, he was a fan.

And that bunny is a tribble.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

...if I stop to think about it, 12 years makes sense, because the kiddo is 17, and when the movies came out, was still young enough to be hands-over-eyes frightened of the Uruk-Hai.

I remember watching first-run TNG too! Faithfully.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I'm not familiar enough with the various Star Treks (apart from the original) to know what came out when, or even which one is which! I do remember the tribbles though :)

I had a vague recollection that a character is seen reading Hornblower in one of the episodes, so I googled and discovered it was Jake Sisko in DS9.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

"Star Trek: Generations" was the movie that handed off the film sequence from the original series crew to the TNG crew. And the OPENING SCENE is on a Royal Navy frigate on the holodeck. With everyone in the uniforms looking fabulous. A lieutenant's uniform suits Deanna Troi very well!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Tribble it is!

I hope they get to keep the graffiti too. Castles are ten a penny in SCotland, but this one certainly stands out from the rest!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

The place looks really magical from a distance. I hope they're allowed to keep the facade, I really like it :)

I think it is a tribble.
Of course it is! Why didn't I recognise it at once?!

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Brilliant all round!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

It's fun isn't it?!

[katriona-s.livejournal.com]

Just funny! XD

I love the photo of the gate, and the seemingly angora rabbit :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I've seen so many pictures of the graffiti castle, it was lovely seeing it for myself!

As you'll see above, eglantine_br and rikibeth have correctly identified the "rabbit" as a tribble :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

The leaflet we picked up at the castle said that the Earl was talked into the project by his children, so I suspect they are all very interesting individuals!

[amaraal.livejournal.com]

I'm totally in love with the Lacecap Hydrangea *stares in awe* But the castle is an eye-catcher for sure :) Every castle should have at least one tower graffitied (is this a word?).

And that tribble :) Wants one... xxx Ehem! ^^

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

The castle is very eye-catching. It's looks like something from a surreal fairy tale when you first see it emerging from the trees. It's quite magical.

And that tribble :) Wants one.
I wants one too! The tribble seems to have many fans. I'll have to post more pictures of it ;)

[amaraal.livejournal.com]

Yes, please!!! More pics! Do they purr, btw? *purrrrrs* :)

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

I suspect if we'd ask the castle itself, it would answer something in the line "Oh, by far not the oddest thing I had worn or witnessed. I remember how my fifth owner... hm, or maybe that was eleventh..."

This must be rabbit. Muffs don't move. And no cat would agree to look so. All castle mice would die of laugh.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Heh, yes. I should imagine that castle has seen all sorts, to say nothing of the 1000 year old yew tree in the garden. They must have long memories.

This must be rabbit. Muffs don't move.
True. Though rabbits generally have a head and a tail end, which this creature seems to lack. Consensus seems to suggest it is a tribble XD

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

Smashing photos there. I've loved the graffitti project since the first time I saw it on TV, and I don't believe that's a rabbit either.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

*nods* We have agreed it is a tribble.

The graffiti project is great isn't it? I was chuffed to bits to be able to see it at last :)