Brodick Castle, managed by the National Trust for Scotland, is the island's most substantial historic attraction. The building dates in parts to the 13th century, though most of what you see today is a 19th-century Scottish Baronial expansion. The interior holds fine collections of silver, porcelain, paintings, and sporting trophies accumulated by the Hamilton family over five centuries.
The walled garden, established in 1710, is one of the finest in Scotland and takes full advantage of the Gulf Stream warmth — rhododendrons, exotics, and large trees that would not survive on the mainland. The surrounding country park has marked woodland trails and provides the most popular starting point for the ascent of Goat Fell. The castle is typically open from April to October; the gardens and park are open year-round.