Culzean
Castle
Culzean Castle overlooks the Firth of Clyde on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland. It is the former home of the Marquess of Ailsa, the chief of Clan Kennedy, but is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The clifftop castle lies within Culzean Castle Country Park |
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Route Description for Culzean Castle , Country Park and Maidens Walk
CULZEAN CASTLE:
Culzean Castle is Robert Adam’s greatest masterpiece. It sits atop sheer cliffs, overlooking the Firth of Clyde and with views towards Arran and the Mull of Kintyre.
Surrounding the castle are extensive woodlands and gardens and the beach below the castle has rock pools filled with sea life.
Culzean was the very first property to pass into the care of the National Trust for Scotland and its grounds offer endless opportunities for exploration.
STORY OF THE GARDEN
The castle was rebuilt in the late 18th century for Ayrshire’s Kennedy clan and during the following century the 1st Marquis of Alisa undertook the planting of
five million trees, creating the 120 hectares of mixed woodland that surround the castle today.
Seventeen miles of pathways crisss-cross the estate, some leading down to the beach and others following trails through the woods.
As well as the castle itself there are many notable buildings spread throughout the estate including a magnificent Gothic camellia
house, Where tender examples of this beautiful shrub are still overwintered.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Fountain Court, next to the castle, is a sheltered sunken garden where many tender plants flourish, protected from frost by the castle walls and the estate’s proximity
to the sea. Even late in the year the terraces are colourful, while cabbage palms give the garden an exotic appearance.
Built into the base of the Fountain Court is an orangery, where citrus trees flourish.
DON’T MISS
Built in the 18th century, the Walled Garden at Culzean is one of the largest in Scotland. It consists of two sections divided by a spine wall - the pleasure garden and the
kitchen garden, which supplies fruit and vegetables to the cafe.
This was once one of the most innovative gardens in Scotland pushing horticultural boundaries in the past included the cultivation of peaches, nectarines and apricots
gifted to Sir ]ohn Kennedy as early as 1730. The onion ‘Ailsa Craig’ was bred by a gardener working at Culzean in the 1870s.
Recently, volunteers and staff at Culzean have been hard at work restoring the gardens, using a range of horticultural techniques and
skills from the Victorian age to the present day.
On the way to the walled garden from the castle visitors pass the Deer Park where there are small herds of red deer and llamas.
ANYTHING ELSE TO LOQK OUT FOR?
At the far end of the estate lies the magnificent Swan Pond, which is a magnet for bird life.
Next to this are the Adventure Cove and Wild Woodland play areas - an extensive area of adventurous activities for
children of all ages. And from here it is just a short walk to the beach at Maidens.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
In autumn the trees at Culzean reveal their true beauty as their leaves turn glorious colours before carpeting the ground beneath them in a thick layer.
Squirrels are active now and otters can be spotted around the streams and along the shoreline.
ANY RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE AREA?
Straiton Monument, seven miles east of Maybole, was built to commemorate Col James Hunter Blair, who fell at the battle of Inkerman in 1854.
The monument is a short but steep climb from Straiton village, but the views from the top make the effort worthwhile. The path to the summit
continues along the ridge of the hill and connects with other footpaths set amongst the beautiful South Ayrshire countryside.
DIRECTIONS:
From the A77 turn onto the B7023 and head west for five miles.
Glencoe | Ben Nevis | Knoydart | Isle of Skye | Isle of Arran | The West Highland Way
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