Join us to explore Auchinleck House on Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 September 2025 in partnership with Doors Open Days.
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. It was the third house to be built on an estate granted to Boswell’s forebears in the 14th century.
This is your chance to visit the property and learn more about its rich history. Admission is free, and leaflets on the building's history and children's activity sheets will be available on site. Whilst booking is not essential we would ask that you register for the event via Eventbrite so that we can provide you with updates regarding the event.
Making a donation as part of your visit
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to visit a Landmark for free as part of our Open Day programme, and as such we’re pleased to continue to offer free entry at all our Open Days in 2025.
The Landmark Trust is a building conservation charity that relies on donations to support its work. Over the past 60 years, public support has helped us rescue over 200 historic buildings and make them available for all to experience and enjoy. Your support by attending our events, booking a workshop, and making a donation allows us to continue to save buildings at risk and continue to maintain those already in our care. Your donation could help train the craftspeople needed to restore a future Landmark, offer opportunities for young people to experience history first-hand, or provide a charity with free Landmark stay for their service users through our 50 for Free scheme.
Donations can be made when you book your Eventbrite ticket, at the event via contactless donation points, or after your visit via our website under Support.
Getting here
In the centre of Ochiltree, near the bottom of the hill by the Commercial Inn, turn right for Auchinleck on the B7036. Continue uphill for about a mile until the road bends sharply to the right, towards Auchinleck. This is a crossroads with a stone marker post. Do not turn right to Auchinleck, but instead go straight ahead, continuing along this road for about 1½ miles. Soon after a very sharp right hand bend take the first left-hand turn into a single track road, shortly before Drumfork Farm.
Address: Auchinleck Estate, Ochiltree, Ayrshire, KA18 2LR
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Open Day entry
Due to the historic nature of our buildings we have a limited capacity for our Open Day events. You may therefore be asked to wait a short time while other visitors finish their visit. Whilst booking is not essential, priority will be given to those who have booked in advance. Thank you for your co-operation.
Accessibility
Please note that due to the nature of our historic buildings and places, some may not be suitable for those with limited mobility or certain disabilities. Both entrances to access this building are via steps and unfortunately we do not have a ramp.
We do all we can to enable access wherever possible; if you have any access concerns that you’d like to discuss before visiting, please contact our Booking Enquiries team on 01628 825925 or [email protected]. The Booking Office is open Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm.