 The
Royal Burgh of Ayr held the Rozelle lands as part of the Barony
lands of Alloway until an auction in 1754 to reduce the Burgh
debt brought sale of the lands to Robert Hamilton for £2,000.
The Hamilton family made their fortune in the sugar and tobacco
industries in the West Indies. The first mansion house was finished
by 1760 and was in the classical style of Robert Adam. During
the early Nineteenth Century the house was remodelled by David
Bryce to remove the previous classical structure.
 The
House and estate flourished throughout the Eighteenth and Nineteenth
Centuries, but by the 1960s the Hamilton family were struck by
high death duties and taxation which led to the sale of much
of the surrounding land. In 1968 the house, with none of its
historic interior remaining, was gifted to the Royal Burgh of
Ayr leading to its establishment as the Council’s Museum
and Art Gallery. Between 1975-76 the servant’s quarters
and stable block were converted into the Maclaurin Galleries
with funds from the bequest of Mrs Mary Ellen Maclaurin.
 Rozelle
House is now a major display venue, currently showing the significant
collection, ‘Tam O’ Shanter’, a series of 54
paintings, by Alexander Goudie.
The exhibition also includes a labelled guide for children (this
children’s guide is used in teaching throughout South Ayrshire
schools). There are also a number of art workshops and classes
held at Rozelle which are open to people of all abilities. Bookings
for workshops must be done through reception at Rozelle House
before attending.
In addition to this, Rozelle House is home to the Ayrshire Yeomanry
museum, Rozelle Craft House and Rozelle Coffee Shop. All 3 of
these are open to the public during normal opening hours for
Rozelle House and the Maclaurin Galleries.
Rozelle House is a Registered Museum under the ReSource
Registration scheme
Please Note: Rozelle Gallery Tearooms has now re-opened under new management and is well worth a visit.
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