Culzean Castle and Country Park Summary

• Address: Maybole, KA19 8LE (Map)
• Tel: +44 (0)1655 884455
• Fax: +44 (0)1655 884503
• Owner: The National Trust for Scotland
• Administrator: The National Trust for Scotland
• E-mail: Click here to contact
• Website: Go to the Culzean Castle and Country Park website

At the end of World War 2 the Kennedy family presented Culzean Castle and the 500 acre estate to the National Trust for Scotland, a handsome gift indeed, but one that was sadly lacking in any financial endowment. Ever since the Trust, aided in this case by its Local Authority and national partners, has struggled to keep the ship afloat. It says much for their dogged persistence that this unique composition of natural and man-made magnificence has survived and been almost entirely restored.

The people of Scotland, and well beyond, have been instrumental by their support in ensuring success. In 1945 the Trust, on behalf of the Scottish people, asked General Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, to accept a lifelong tenancy of the top floor of the Castle in recognition of his wartime leadership. ‘Ike’ was delighted to accept and he and his family forged a strong link of affection with their Scottish home. At one brief stage, when Eisenhower was President of the United States, it became The White House in Scotland. The connection is celebrated in the Eisenhower Room where unique artefacts, recordings, manuscripts and pictures tell the story of this outstanding man who died in 1969, but whose family continue their close association with Culzean.

The legacy of that far sighted gift has come down over the years and Americans in particular treasure the present day opportunity to stay in those same rooms at Culzean, a six bedroomed apartment with all mod cons, ideal for corporate and private hospitality. When the Open Golf Tournament is being held at Turnberry or Troon bookings are made years ahead. Other more modest, but still as appealing in their own way, properties on the estate are available for holiday lettings.

But these somewhat gilded sides to Culzean’s character must not be allowed to obscure its tremendous appeal to more ordinary folk. Within its boundaries lie some two and half miles of coastline dotted with sandy beaches and secluded bays, as well as the precipitous cliffs on which the fortress/castle is built. Many of the 500 acres are covered by mature woodland, and a deer park is home to a herd of red deer. Two large gardens provide an elegant Fountain Court with its mature palm trees at the Castle, and an extensive walled garden, divided by a heated wall, is located in a sheltered area where flowers, vegetables and fruit are grown in rich profusion.

Throughout the estate Robert Adam’s works delight the eye as well as the senses. The former farm steading, a model of its kind when designed by Adam, is now home to a Visitor Centre with a restaurant, shops, conference centre, display areas and offices. Elsewhere in the Park the Swan Pond complex houses an aviary, there is a restored Gas House that produced gas for the Castle, a handsome building that housed a small menagerie with airy views to Arran across the twelve mile wide Clyde, the boathouse from which earlier Marquesses of Ailsa pursued their yachting activities, and the cannons brought in to repel the French should they have attempted a landing in the early 1800s.

The Castle is packed with Robert Adam’s work, with fine examples of his design influence over a far wider field than just architecture. The two outstanding spaces are the Oval Staircase, a light and airy cantilevered 3 storey construction, and the Round Drawing Room looking out over the Clyde from its commanding windows and terrace. The Armoury houses a collection of weapons second only to Windsor Castle, assembled from the Tower of London for receiving those same French visitors and subsequently displayed in Adam’s reception hall.

An ongoing programme of events ensures that the opportunities presented by this wonderful place are not neglected. A visit to Culzean is for many the beginning of a habit that remains with them for life.

More information about visiting, dining, staying and holding a wedding or corporate function at Culzean is available from their Website.

Opening Times - 2011

Castle:

• 30th March - 31st October: daily, 10.30 - 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm)

Country Park/Walled Garden:

• All year, daily, 9.30 am - sunset

Visitor Centre:

• 3rd January - 29th March: Saturday & Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm
• 30th March - 31st October: daily, 10 am - 5 pm
• 1st November - 31st December: Saturday - Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm
• Closed: 25th & 26th December

Admission Prices - 2011

Castle and Country Park Combined:

• Adult - £13.00
• Concession - £9.00
• Family - £32.00
• Family (1 Adult) - £25.00
• Pay and Display - £2.00 (after 5 pm)

Country Park only:

• Adult - £8.50
• Concession - £5.50
• Family - £21.00
• Family (1 Adult) - £16.00
• Pay & Display - £2.00 (after 5 pm)

Images copyright of The National Trust for Scotland.

More information on the garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.

Further information including opening times and prices

Image Gallery

Your Reviews of Culzean Castle and Country Park

Shannon Wynne (21 December 2008)

I think that Culzean Castle and Country Park is brilliant. I have been there twice and I thought it was great.

Additional Info for Culzean Castle and Country Park

• Dogs allowed
• Disabled Access
• Refreshments
• Nursery
• Shop
• Car Parking

Heritage Groups

• National Trust for Scotland

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