The big draw: Earl wants to make graffiti on his 13th century Scottish castle a permanent attraction



When Brazilian street artists set about painting a series of psychedelic images on the side of a 13th century Scottish castle, the locals were understandably outraged.

Now their temperatures are set to soar even higher as it emerged that the owner wants to make the controversial graffiti mural permanent - going back on his original promise that it would only appear for three years.

Patrick Boyle, the Earl of Glasgow, has written to Historic Scotland to see whether the paintings on Kelburn Castle, in Largs, Ayrshire, can remain indefinitely.

Psychedelic: Brazilian street artists were let loose on the 13th century Kelburn Castle in Ayrshire to create a series of murals

Street art: Work on the murals, featuring interwoven cartoons depicting surreal urban culture, started in 2007 and cost £20,000



Surreal: Patrick Boyle, the Earl of Glasgow, has written to Historic Scotland to see whether the paintings on Kelburn Castle can remain indefinitely

Work on the mural, which features interwoven cartoons depicting surreal urban culture, started in 2007 and cost £20,000.

A group of Brazilian graffiti artists - identical twins Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo, Nina Pandolfo and Nunca - were commissioned by the earl's son and daughter.

The Graffiti Project, as it was named, was only permitted by North Ayrshire Council on the understanding that it was temporary.

A three-year limit was put on the graffiti, pending the start of work to replace the harling render on the exterior of the turret.



Painted smile: One of the Brazilian graffiti artists puts the finishing touches to the colourful character at the top of Kelburn's turret, and right, the walls of the castle are filled in with bright images

Talking point: The Graffiti Project which started in 2007, is 'loved by everyone who see it', says the Earl of Glasgow

Formal: The inside of Kelburn Castle is in stark contract to its exterior

For keeps? The Earl of Glasgow has asked Historic Scotland if the graffiti on Kelburn Castle can be a permanent feature

But that limit has now passed and the earl, whose family has lived in Kelburn Castle for 800 years, has written to Historic Scotland to see if it would object if he asked his council if the art work could remain.

He said: 'In the three years that the mural has been on the castle it has attracted enormous interest from around the world and it is loved by everyone who sees it.

'It has become a landmark and a talking point and it has given the castle and the estate a whole new character.'

The latest memorandum of guidance published by Historic Scotland states that owners of listed properties should only use 'historically correct colours in a manner which is appropriate to the building'.

It adds: 'Where more than one colour is to be used, they should all relate to the architectural features of the whole building in a logical and consistent manner.

'The painting of one storey a different colour from another, or indeed any part of the building differently from the remainder, should always be avoided.'

The mural has quickly become a popular feature at Kelburn which also has a country centre open to the public and a series of outdoor attractions. They include a secret forest with a Chinese garden, a gingerbread house and a stone grotto.

Only last month the graffiti at the castle was named as one of the world's top 10 examples of street art by author and designer Tristan Manco.

It was put on a par with Banksy's art in Los Angeles and the Favela Morro Da Providencia in Rio de Janeiro.

Contrast: Historic Scotland states that owners of listed properties should only use 'historically correct colours in a manner which is appropriate'



