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Culzean Castle, Culzean Experience, Dwight Eisenhower, South Ayrshire Scotland
The Culzean Bay area is dominated by one of Ayrshire's top attractions, Culzean Castle & Country Park. Run by the National Trust for Scotland since 1945, the Culzean Experience is not just the spectacular Culzean Castle come stately home reworked by renowned architect Robert Adam, it's also a country park crammed with activities and events including a swan pond, deer park, walks and trails, kids playground, craft shops and NTS shops, coffee houses and restaurants. A beach area and plenty of picnic areas are on-site.
Maybole is the main town in the Culzean Bay area, and well worth a visit for its unusual town centre 16th century castle, plus nearby Crossraguel Abbey ruins.
Culzean Castle & Country Park, Culzean Experience
One of Ayrshire's top visitor attraction is in the Culzean Bay area to the south of Ayr. Culzean Castle and Country Park is situated right on the cliff edge of the Ayrshire coast overlooking the Firth of Clyde and on to the Isle of Arran. Culzean (pronounced as cullane) was in the hands of the Kennedy family for many years, but now the Culzean Experience (a culmination of events, visitor centre, walks and trails, education and shopping and weddings and dining) is run by the National Trust for Scotland. The Kennedy Family presented it to the NTS in 1945.
Culzean Castle is essentially an elaborate stately home - the final masterpiece of architect and designer Robert Adam. This is one of Scotland's finest and best loved castles. From 1759 when Culzean first fell into the hands of the Kennedy family, they worked to transform Culzean from medieval tower house to the grandest of stately country homes. During the 1770s acclaimed architect Robert Adam was commissioned to transform the tower house into an elegantt castellated mansion. Adam worked on Culzean from 1777 to 1792.
To appreciate Adam's work on the house a tour is highly recommended - the Oval Staircase and Round Drawing Room designed by Adam is a particular highlight. You might be a little puzzled as to what is behind the connecton with American President Dwight Eisenhower. During negotions to hand over Culzean to the NTS, the 4th Marquess had included in the negotiations that the top floor of the castle be converted into a flat for Eisenhower's use when visiting as a gesture of thanks for America's support in the war. You'll note the exhibition on Eisenhower on the first floor of Culzean Castle. He made four visits to Culzean during his lifetime.
As well as Culzean Castle, the surrounding Country Park is stunning. Guided walks by park rangers are available from the Visitor Centre Courtyard, or explore some of the many trails and walks for both kids and parents independently. This full on celebrated attractions also includes a visitor centre, walled garden, deer park, NTS shops, bookshops, restaurants and coffee houses, a swan pond and pagoda, craft fairs and adjacent beach area. Plenty to fill a family fun day and more, with magnifient views from here on clear days! Culzean Castle and Country Park, Maybole, Ayrshire, KA19 8LE. Tel. 0870 118 1945. (weblink right for details, open from March to October 10.30am to 5pm).
Maybole Tourist Information & Crossraguel Abbey
The attractive small town of Maybole is the main town in the Culzean Bay area, with a selection of castles and an abbey in the area. (see the Maybole Tourist Information and Local History website right for comprehensive information, including details on numerous historic buildings within the town itself such as the Maybole Poorhouse which survives on Ladyland Road).
Just outside of the Maybole burgh, the ruins of Crossraguel Abbey (Abbey of the Royal or Royal Cross), founded here in 1250, are well worth a look. The rare Cluniac monastery were based here - Crossraguel Abbey is one of only two Cluniac monasteries in Scotland. The other was in Paisley and it was Paisley Monks who built Crossraguel.
Within Maybole town, the gothic fairytale Maybole Castle is open to the public and dates from the mid-16th century. Essentially built as a town house for the Earls of Cassillis, it's a Laird house not to be missed, in stark contrast to the cramped conditions of the Maybole Poorhouse and simple Miners Cottages elsewhere in Ayrshire particularly in the East near Kilmarnock . Maybole Castle is run by community groups in Maybole, all of whom have worked hard to keep it open to the public.
For more information on Crossraguel Abbey, Maybole Castle, Maybole Poorhouse and other historic sites such as the ruins of Baltersan Castle see the Maybole Tourist Information and local history weblink right. You'll find some excellent photographs of the off-shore island Ailsa Craig here too.
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