Parks and Activities South Ayrshire

Historic Places - Belleisle Estate

Belleisle Estate | Belleisle Woodland | Belleisle Wildlife

Belleisle has a more varied and turbulent history in comparison to its near neighbour Rozelle. At the sale of the Barony lands in 1754 Dr. Alexander Campbell of Ayr purchased Belleisle mansion house and the lands attached, which were known as Netherton of Alloway at that time.

Around 1765 the property fell to Campbell's brother, Archibald who was a writer in Edinburgh, and in turn he was succeeded in 1775 by John Campbell of Wellwood (nephew). At his death Hugh Hamilton of Pinmore purchased the property.

Hamilton extended the estate by purchasing surrounding property and he also built part of the mansion that we see today. It was at this time that it became known as Belleisle. His nephew Colonel Alexander West Hamilton inherited the estate. Colonel Hamilton had the former mansion almost entirely rebuilt and enlarged to form what we see today. In 1839 the estate fell to his son Hugh Hamilton who was in his minority and was later purchased by William Smith Dixon of Motherwell. In 1886 the estate was sold once again the new owners being the Coats family.

In 1926 Ayr Burgh Council purchased Belleisle for the sum of £25,000. This led to questions being raised in the House of Commons.

Map of Belleisle Estate