Culzean Castle is one of those spectacular NT properties that is a destination in itself, rather than just somewhere to visit. There is so much to see here you could easily spend a weekend and even stay in the castle itself (if you had 5 other wealthy friends!).
Visiting Culzean Castle
Culzean is well sign posted and everything you need is onsite. There is also something for pretty much everyone here, whether your interest is history, cooking, gardening, architecture or just family fun.
My Experience
We were lucky enough to visit Culzean Castle on a gorgeous summer afternoon. The castle is really misnamed as it is an eighteenth century country residence and any fortifications are aesthetic touches only. There are extensive grounds with a walled garden, a gas pumping station and acres of parkland. The fountains were not active when we were there, which was a shame.
The Robert Adam interiors were very impressive and also the armoury but I generally skim through country house interiors as they really aren’t my thing. I did like the kitchen though, with all the copper saucepans on the wall.
Our favourite sight on our visit to Culzean Castle (other than the spectacular views) was the summer house. This was a beautiful building that almost made me wish I had some vague interest in gardening.
Culzean Castle Photo Gallery
History
Culzean Castle was constructed as an L-plan castle by order of the 10th Earl of Cassilis. He instructed the architect Robert Adam to rebuild a previous, but more basic, structure into a fine country house to be the seat of his earldom. The castle was built in stages between 1777 and 1792. It incorporates a large drum tower with a circular saloon inside (which overlooks the sea), a grand oval staircase and a suite of well-appointed apartments.
In 1945, the Kennedy family gave the castle and its grounds to the National Trust for Scotland (thus avoiding inheritance tax). In doing so, they stipulated that the apartment at the top of the castle be given to General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower in recognition of his role as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during the Second World War. The General first visited Culzean Castle in 1946 and stayed there four times, including once while President of the United States.
References
The National Trust website for the castle is here.
The history above is copied from the Wikipedia page here.