Culzean Castle

Culzean (pronounced Cul-lane) Castle is one of Scotland's best loved Castles and one of the most popular properties of the National Trust for Scotland, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Situated above a cliff on the South Ayrshire coast overlooking the estuary of the river Clyde, Culzean Castle and Country Park is just off the A719, 12 miles south of Ayr and 4 miles west of Maybole.

The first written reference to a Tower House at Culzean dates to the 1400's, then known as 'Coif Castle', or the 'House of Cove', taking it's name from the caves below. This name was altered to 'Cullean Castle' in the 1600's.

The Kennedy family established a tower there from the 12th century and an L-shaped tower house was built in the 1590s. But it was not until the 18th century that the wealthy family, now known as the Earls of Cassillis, engaged Robert Adam to design a splendid castle, both inside and out. And to add to the wonders, a 565 acre parkland surrounding the castle was designed by Alexander Nasmyth and two pupils of Capability Brown.

The castle was built in stages between 1777 and 1792. It incorporated a large drum tower with a circular saloon inside (which overlooks the sea), a grand oval staircase and a suite of well-appointed apartments.

In the 18th century a chain of events occurred that transformed Culzean Castle from a relatively modest tower house into a neoclassical mansion. It was not so much a sudden influx of real wealth or power that brought about this transformation but, rather, the desire to create a trophy house, a building that said, even shouted, that the Kennedy family had arrived.

When Culzean Castle was given by the Kennedy family to the National Trust in 1945, they asked that part of the castle should be given to General Eisenhower for his lifetime, as recognition for his role as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. There is an exhibition showing his connection with Culzean and his visits to the castle.

Outside, sheltered by the castle, there are extensive gardens with a wide range of plants and shrubs. The Adam-designed home farm has been converted into a Country Park visitor centre with a restaurant and shop and the woodlands are a maze of pathways which take you to cliff-top walks, a Swan Pond, a walled garden, a deer park, an old ice house and drifts of wild flowers. You can also get down to a beach, overlooked by the castle. It is little wonder that many people make return visits to this enchanting location.