Chapeltoun

Chapeltoun is a country estate situated beside the Annick Water in East Ayrshire, featuring architectural designs by Alexander Cullen and surrounded by ornamental gardens. The grounds include a restored well that once served a medieval chapel and now stands as a Victorian garden feature.

The land was held by the Knights Templar until 1312, when their properties passed to the Knights of St. John following medieval redistributions of ecclesiastical lands. This transition reflected broader changes in how religious orders controlled territories across Scotland.

The estate serves as a gathering space where visitors and locals experience the traditions of Scottish countryside life and its connection to seasonal rhythms.

The estate is accessible from nearby Stewarton railway station, making it easy to visit without a car. The grounds are designed for walking and exploration, with paths connecting different areas of the property.

The grounds preserve a historic curling pond built on the former stable grounds, showing how rural Scottish communities used winter leisure time. This feature reveals details about how the property adapted its spaces for different seasonal activities.