Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland

In hope, and looking forward to being able to travel once again, I am recalling places that have proven to be great days out.   So lets head to  the Ayrshire Coast of Scotland.

Culzean Castle and its surrounding Country Park is one such location.  It is quite a ‘new’ castle.  Built on the ruins of and earlier building, the 10th Earl of Cassilis,  commissioned the Architect Robert Adam to build a Grand Country House.  Culzean Castle is the result.  It was built between 1777 & 1792.

I would describe the Castle as being double fronted.  The landward side above overlooks a beautiful formal garden with many exotics.

The seaward side overlooks the Firth of Clyde, Ailsa Craig , Isle of Arran, and beyond into the Irish Sea.  So the castle was designed to provide rooms with great sea views.

The Earl of Cassilis was Chief of the Clan Kennedy.  It was the Kennedy family that gifted Culzean Castle to the National Trust  of Scotland in 1945.  The Kennedy family attached one condition….. That an Apartment within the Castle be kept for the use of Dwight D Eisenhower in recognition of his service to the Country as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in WWII.  As President of the United States, he took advantage of the honour as a holiday venue.

Once we overcome the current difficulties it will once again become a both a grand holiday location  and the opportunity for a Grand Day Out. 

If the Ayrshire weather is kind and you linger into the evening you may well be graced with a sunset over the Isle of Arran….

 and that’s a bonus in itself

When life becomes more normal it is well worth a visit….  Till then…

Please Remember ….

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

23rd May

(C) David Oakes 2020