Dean Castle is one of Ayrshire’s best preserved castles and was the stronghold of the Boyds, Lords of Kilmarnock, for over 400 years. Their connections with Robert the Bruce made them one of the most powerful families in Scotland. Steeped in history, with world class collections and regularly changing exhibitions, Dean Castle and its estate was gifted to the people of Kilmarnock in the 1970’s by Lord Howard de Walden and has been enjoyed by millions of visitors since.
“We are pleased to be playing an integral role in the redevelopment works at Dean Castle,” said Martin McErlean, Heritage Contracts Manager, Marcon. “It is very rewarding to know that our work will be enjoyed by thousands of visitors of all ages as they visit the beautiful surrounds of the country park. All of the bespoke joinery for the interactive exhibition will be manufactured in our specialist facility and installed onsite by our expert craftsmen. This project certainly adds to our reputation as a leading fit-out provider within the UK heritage sector.”
Marcon will complete the exhibition fit-out works within the new Centre for Rural Life and the existing Visitor Centre which will be redeveloped into a Centre for Educational Excellence and a Visitor Orientation Hub.
Anneke Freel, Countryside Services Manager, East Ayrshire Leisure said: “We’re all very excited about the new look that we’re developing along with g2 Design and Marcon for the Visitor Centre and Rural Life Centre and are really looking forward to welcoming new and returning visitors back.”
Marcon’s heritage team will be responsible for the manufacture and installation of all specialist joinery, setworks, AV hardware, graphics and interactives and will work closely with g2 Design, who specialise in the interpretive design of visitor centres.
Eddie Girvan, g2 Design, said: “It is great to know that the fit out of the Centre for Rural Life and the Visitor Orientation Hub at Dean Castle are being completed by Marcon who have many years of top class experience in this specialist area. Their attention to detail and ‘can do’ attitude will be invaluable in the completion of this project.”
This is the latest exhibition project secured by Marcon in the past number of years, following on from iconic projects such as The Sill in Northumberland, Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, American Air Museum at IWM Duxford, Kilkenny Medieval Mile Museum and the “World’s leading visitor attraction” – Titanic Belfast ®
For more information on the Dean Castle Country Park please click here, or to find out more about Marcon fit-out, click here.
