Dundonald Castle and Visitor Centre

Dundonald Castle is a 14th-century tower castle built for King Robert II, founder of the Stewart dynasty, perched on a hilltop in the village of Dundonald, South Ayrshire with superb views over the Firth of Clyde. Run by the Friends of Dundonald Castle SCIO in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, the site offers a proper family day out: guided tours of the castle (up to an hour, led by enthusiastic volunteer guides and catering to all ages), a museum and exhibition area with models of the settlement's 3,500-year history and medieval dress-up clothes for children, a café serving locally sourced food and coffee with indoor and outdoor seating, a gift shop, and play and picnic areas in the castle grounds.

Under-5s go free, Historic Scotland members get free castle entry, and dogs are welcome on a lead inside the castle and visitor centre. The castle grounds are always accessible and sit beside ancient woodland on the Smugglers' Trail walking route. The visitor centre is fully accessible, though the castle itself is reached via a steep hill with a weatherproof non-slip path that may not suit limited mobility.