Carnell House is a historic mansion and estate located near the village of Hurlford, about five miles (8 km) southeast of Kilmarnock, in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Situated 25 miles (40 km) from Glasgow, the estate was originally known as Cairn Hill and dates back to 1276.
Set within a sprawling 2,000-acre estate, Carnell House is surrounded by lush gardens, woodlands, and farmland. While the house as it stands today was built in 1843, its origins trace back to earlier structures, including towers that adjoin the more recent additions.
Carnell House has long been the home of the Findlay family, whose lineage includes the legendary William Wallace. Originally constructed by the Wallace family, the estate was marked as “Cairnhill” on General Roy’s 1750 map. In 1843, Colonel John Ferrier Hamilton undertook significant improvements to the estate and commissioned renowned architect William Burn to design a new house.
Following John’s passing, his granddaughter, Georgina Findlay-Hamilton, inherited the estate in 1904. She made further alterations to the house and played a key role in cultivating the estate’s renowned 10-acre garden. The estate was later passed to her son-in-law, Commander J.B. Findlay, and subsequently to her son, John R. Findlay, in 1965. In 1973, Garden House was added within the walled garden. Today, the estate is owned by Michael Findlay, John R. Findlay’s son, who resides there with his family.
The adjoining keep, dating from the 15th century, rises to three storeys with a garret and features a corbelled-out parapet. The vaulted basement contains a wide kitchen fireplace, showcasing the historic character of the property.
The estate has been in the Findlay family for nearly 700 years and is currently managed by Michael Findlay and his partner, Adrienne Eastwood. The estate is run more like a private residence than a hotel, ensuring a highly personal and attentive experience for all guests.
A guide track for ‘Carnell House’ is available below for listening: -
You can download a PDF of the sheet music here
- or braille format here.
The track is additionally available within the following collections and sets: -
Associated Collections: -
6/8
Ayrshire Places
Extended Bagpipe
Jig
Not Yet Recorded
The Three Six Five Collection
