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Culzean Castle | |
County |
South Ayrshire | |
How to get there |
4 miles west of Maybole, off A719 | |
History
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The castle stands
on the sheer cliffs of a bluff overlooking the Firth of Clyde. The original 16th
century castle was probably a three-storey tower house surrounded by a courtyard. It
was the property of the earls of Cassilis, chiefs of the Kennedy clan. Dunnure Castle was their major stronghold and it was not until the senior branch of the family died out in 1759 and the title came to Sir Thomas Kennedy of Cluzean that Culzean Castle came to the fore. Sir Thomas, later 9th Earl of Cassilis, was succeeded by his brother and it was he who commissioned Robert Adam in 1775 to remodel the castle. On the sheltered southern side of the original site Adam built a large, Georgian mansion in the classical style but with the addition of medieval turrets, towers and crenellations. The 10th Earl was so pleased with the result that in 1785 he asked Adam to continue with the reconstruction of the castle on the bleaker north-facing prospect. This time Adam created a bold, impressive facade with a great round tower reaching to the edge of the cliff. The castle is considered to be among the architect's finest work and the circular rooms of the tower and the oval staircase are of particular note. The castle was not intended as a defensive building but in 1804 there was a threat of war from Napoleon. Gun implacements were dug on the cliff and a sea bastion built on north side of the east forecourt. Fortunately, no military action took place and this episode became known as the False Alarm. The Armoury at Culzean displays the flintlock pistols and bayonets issued during this period to the West Lowland Regiment. In 1879 the west wing was added to the castle by the 14th Earl who needed more room for his large family. In 1945 the castle was given to the National Trust for Scotland. Much restoration work has been carried out and the state rooms have been returned to the original colours specified by Adam. In 1946 a separate flat was created on the top floor for Dwight D. Eisenhower to use during his lifetime. This was in recognition of his services in World War II and there is an exhibition showing Eisenhower's links with the castle. There are beautiful gardens at the castle and in 1969 the Culzean estate became Scotland's first country park. |
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