Dolphin House Outdoor Education

18/06/2026

17/06/2026

What a mad day 🌿☀️

Yesterday we welcomed over 140 P7 pupils from across the Kyle Cluster schools to Dolphin House for a transition day ahead of starting secondary school.

Throughout the day, pupils took part in fitness sessions with Active Schools, alongside a range of outdoor activities with our team including beach art, team games, a scavenger hunt, and orienteering.

It was a brilliant opportunity for everyone to get outdoors, build confidence, meet new people, and start getting to know each other before the move to secondary school.

Well done to all the P7s 👏

15/06/2026

🐬 Are there actually dolphins at Dolphin House?

It’s one of the questions we get asked most often… and perhaps surprisingly, we rarely see them!

As part of the lead-up to our 25th anniversary as an outdoor centre, we’re sharing some of the history behind Dolphin House.

The name actually comes from the Kennedy family, who owned the Culzean Estate for generations. The dolphin formed part of their family crest, and versions of these dolphins can still be spotted around the castle grounds today.

The name “Dolphin House” existed long before the building became the outdoor centre it is now.

Keep an eye out for more history and stories over the next few months 👀

National Trust for Scotland
Culzean Castle & Country Park NTS

12/06/2026

🚴 SUMMER CYCLING PROGRAMME 2026 ☀️

Our summer cycling sessions are back, with opportunities for a wide range of ages and abilities — from children learning to ride for the very first time to more experienced riders looking to build confidence on trails, pump tracks and ramps.

This summer’s programme includes:
🚲 Learn to Ride
🚲 Pedal Power
🚲 Adventure Rides
🚲 Pump Track & Ramps Sessions
🚲 Go MTB Trail Award

Sessions will be running across South Ayrshire throughout July and August, with locations including Ayr, Girvan, Maybole, Prestwick, Coylton, Symington, Dundonald, Annbank, Culzean and Troon.

👉 Swipe through to see all session dates, locations and age groups.

🪖 Bikes and helmets can be provided if needed
💥 All sessions are completely free
📍 Limited spaces available on sessions

🔗 Bookings will go live at 3pm on Monday 15th June via our Clubspark - https://clubspark.net/ActiveSouthAyrshire/Cycling

11/06/2026

🥾🌿 Silver The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Qualifier Expedition

Last week we had our first group of Silver DofE participants out completing their Qualifier Expedition in the Galloway Hills 💪

Across the expedition, the group showed great teamwork, resilience and determination while taking on the challenge and exploring some fantastic landscapes 👏

A huge well done to everyone involved for all their effort throughout the week — a fantastic achievement! 💚

10/06/2026

🏉🌿 Kilmarnock Rugby Girls at Dolphin House

This weekend we welcomed the Kilmarnock Rugby Girls for a residential packed full of activity, challenge and teamwork 💪

Across the weekend the group took part in team games, watersports, archery, abseiling, a night walk and campfire, alongside their rugby training sessions 🛶🏹🌊

The group also enjoyed a fantastic Q&A session with a former rugby player, giving everyone the chance to hear about their experiences and ask plenty of questions 👏

A brilliant weekend with great energy and enthusiasm throughout — well done to everyone involved! 💚

08/06/2026

💚👏 Good Luck Charlie!

As Charlie finishes up at Dolphin House, we wanted to take a moment to recognise everything he’s achieved during his time with us.

Charlie joined the team in October 2023 as a Modern Apprentice, achieving his SVQ Level 2 before progressing into the role of Outdoor Activities Assistant 🌿

Over the past 2.5 years he’s gained a huge range of qualifications and experience, including:
🌊Paddlesport Safety & Rescue
🚲 MTB Trail Leader
🚴 Bikeability Instructor
🏹 Archery Instructor
🥾 Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
…along with many more 👏

It’s been amazing to watch Charlie’s confidence grow throughout his time here. We’ve seen him develop not only as an instructor, but as a person too — from passing his driving test and getting his first car, to becoming an active member of the Carrick Round Table (Area Chairman for the West of Scotland!) and travelling the country along the way 🚗💪

Charlie’s next adventure takes him on to become a trainee bus driver, and while we’ll miss having him around Dolphin House, we’re excited to see where this next chapter takes him.

A huge thank you for all your hard work over the years — and don’t be a stranger! Good luck Charlie 💚

Thriving Communities - Employability
Enable Scotland Sportscotland

07/06/2026

🦦 Otters in the Stable Caves…

As part of the lead-up to 25 years of Dolphin House as an outdoor centre, we’ll be sharing some of the wildlife and hidden moments that make this coastline so special.

These otters were recently spotted on one of our wildlife cameras in the Stable Caves — a cave system we explore regularly with our groups along the Culzean coastline.

Although we often come across signs that otters are around, like tracks and droppings in the caves, we never actually see them during sessions. Otters are usually most active around dawn and dusk and tend to avoid noisy, busy areas — which means they’re often out and about long after our groups have headed home.

The otters found around the Ayrshire coastline are Eurasian otters, which are well adapted to coastal life and spend much of their time hunting along rocky shorelines and in the sea for fish, crabs, and other marine life.

While they usually make their dens, known as holts, in burrows amongst tree roots or rocky banks, they’ll often investigate and move through sheltered coastal caves while travelling along the shoreline🌊

05/06/2026

🌊 Outdoor Modern Apprenticeship🌿

Applications are now open for our Outdoor Modern Apprenticeships here at Dolphin House.

This one-year apprenticeship is designed to help young people build the skills, experience, and qualifications needed to begin a career in the outdoor industry.

As part of the apprenticeship, you’ll complete:
• SVQ Level 2
• National Governing Body qualifications
• Hands-on experience across a wide range of outdoor activities

You’ll work alongside our instructor team, support real sessions, develop practical skills, and gain a real insight into life as an outdoor instructor.

📍 Ages 16–19
📍 Up to 29 years old if care experienced
📅 Applications close: 21st June

🔗 Apply now: https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/south-ayrshire-council/jobs/outdoor-modern-apprentice-various-locations-soa12669-475142

03/06/2026

🛶🌊 Paddle UK – Big Paddle Clean Up

Last week we were proud to take part in the Paddle UK Big Paddle Clean Up alongside pupils from Troon Primary School 👏

During their paddleboarding session, pupils helped collect litter from the local coastline and waterways — learning first-hand about the importance of protecting our seas and outdoor spaces 💚

The Big Paddle Clean Up is a nationwide initiative encouraging paddlers and water users to help care for the environments they enjoy, highlighting the impact litter and pollution can have on our waterways and marine life 🌍

Looking after these spaces is something we encourage regularly across our programmes, and it was fantastic to see the group getting fully involved while out on the water 🛶

A huge well done to everyone who took part — and a big thank you to for leading such an important campaign 👏