Culzean Castle

A warm but cloudy day

Our couple of days at Troon, on the south west coast, included a trip to Culzean Castle. We last visited many years ago and were pleased to have the opportunity to visit again. This time, to get around I had my small electric buggy and the staff were magnificent, even getting me in a lift to the upper floors of the Castle.

This glorious estate was once the playground of David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis – a man who was keen to impress with his wealth and status. Opulent to the extreme, the park is planted with conifers and beech, sculpted around miles of sandy coastline dotted with caves, and finished off with a Swan Pond, an ice house, flamboyant formal gardens and fruit-filled glasshouses.

The castle itself is perched on the Ayrshire cliffs. It was designed by Robert Adam in the late 18th century and is filled to the turrets with treasures that tell the stories of the people who lived here.

After the war, the top floor was gifted to US President Eisenhower in recognition of his leadership of the Allied Army. He stayed a few times and now it is named the Eisenhower Hotel. have a look at the map to see its location.

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