Plans are well underway at Dean Castle Country Park to celebrate Homecoming 2014 with a range of events including spectacular outdoor theatre performances that reveal the hidden secrets of Dean Castle and its history. The Deep Roots Homecoming event focuses on the Boyds - a famous Scottish family with deep roots linked to many key moments in Scottish history and their story will be retold in a range of truly unique, one off events at their ancestral home – Dean Castle.

The Bloody Boyds takes place from Friday 31st Oct – Sun 2nd Nov and will send chills down your spine! Meet some of the historic characters from Dean Castle as you wander the country park under the cover of darkness - from King Robert the Bruce to Jacobite William Boyd, the last Earl of Kilmarnock who was beheaded at the Tower of London for treason. Packed full of exciting audio visuals, live performances….and a few frights along the way, Bloody Boyds takes place over the Halloween weekend in collaboration with Conflux, one of Scotland’s leading outdoor theatre companies. Tickets are £5 and available online at www.eastayrshireleisure.com or from Box Office on 01563 554900. Performances every 20 minutes from 7pm . Be warned though - this event may leave you sleeping with the lights on! Suitable for 8 years and over.

Sponsor a tree in the Boyd Wood – a new native woodland that is being planted within the grounds of Dean Castle and Country Park. Become part of the commemorative Boyd Wood, leaving your own 2014 Homecoming legacy in this historically important location. If you are a Boyd, or simply want to remember a loved one or commemorate a special occasion, this is a lovely way to do so within the designed landscape of the stunning country park. The cost of sponsoring a tree is £20. Trees are available to buy online or from Box Office – 01563 554900.

Visit the Boyd exhibition in Dean Castle and discover more about the Boyds - Lords of Kilmarnock and residents of Dean Castle from the 1300’s to the 1700’s. Discover their story and much more in this exhibition which contains original documents signed by Elizabeth 1 and Mary Queen of Scots, paintings, armour and original objects. Entry to the exhibition is free during normal castle opening hours.

For more information and to find out more about the finale celebration event, visit www.eastayrshireleisure.com