Tour of Culzean Castle in Scotland

Discover international travel for the over 50's and take a trip to visit the Scottish castle of Culzean.

George: There is splendor on the Cliffside at Culzean Castle. It may look like Culzean but it’s actually called Colaign, what began as a bachelor pad became something of a storybook castle. Culzean stands imperiously on a cliff. There are unobstructed views across the water to the mountains on the distant island of Arran, with the western Scottish isles beyond that. From 1777 to 1792, architect Robert Adam converted an old fortified tower, into what’s been called the finest Georgian castle in Scotland. The work was done for the Scottish nobleman David Kennedy, the 10th earl of castles. No relation to the Kennedy family of Boston Massachusetts. Now, Adam may have been the most prominent British architect of the late 18th century, well known as a decorator and a furniture designer. At Culzean, his genius as an architect shows clearly. Enter them mansion and you’re assaulted by a mini military fortress. The armory is home to the most significant collection of arms in existence and the second largest in size after the one at Windsor Castle in England. And what’s particularly important about this room is that all of the weapons in the room have actually been used by British regiments. From military pursuits to literary ones, the library was the original tower house. The ceilings are ornate. The walls were finished in stucco or plaster, rather than silk. That ensured that the smell of food didn’t linger in the house. The pole screen near the fire contained the Kennedy coat of arms and architect Robert Adam put dwarfed bookcases in the library so that books seemed less obtrusive in the room. The smell of food often drifted in from the dining room next door. It was two rooms in the early days but became the castle’s main dining hall in 1877. Robert Adam’s masterpiece in this house is this oval stairway which goes completely around. Studded with columns for the next two storeys and topped by a magnificent sky light up in the ceiling. It was Robert Adam’s idea to create the grand stairway leading from the entrance of the castle to the formal rooms on the next level. But Adam never saw his creation, he died before the work was completed. At the top of the oval staircase, the brilliant circular salon or the round drawing room. It is elegant on the inside even the doors are rounded and each window provides an unobstructed view of the wild and rugged Ayrshire coast. Standing at the door and looking out the windows, you might think you’re aboard an ocean liner whose railings lookout over a vast sea. Beyond the public rooms, the private boudoir and dressing room of the lady of the house. The shiplike cradle was constructed by Elsa Ship Building Company of Troon Scotland in 1898. The Kennedy’s actually floated the boat out on the swan pond across the property and it never sank. There’s a connection to the USA here. The Kennedy family donated the castle to the national trust for Scotland in 1945 but it asked that the top floor be given to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander in Europe during World War II as a thank you from the people of Scotland. Eisenhower came here because he said it was the only place he felt he could relax. On his second visit in 1951, he wrote in the guest book, this book is to contain a record of names of our friends who whether we are here or not, may come from time to time to see this beautiful region and to visit this historical castle. He visited the castle several times. The longest sojourn was during his retirement and you too can rest in the Eisenhower apartment. This suite where Ike came to relax is now one of six rooms of Culzean that have become rooms to let. Male: Yes, indeed for the last number of years, the national trust for Scotland have run the Eisenhower apartments, a small luxury hotel on an up market, a bed and breakfast arrangement if you like. And anybody and come stay and enjoy using these apartments. George: Just think of it, a full fledged castle at your feet. A historic bedroom to rest your head, staff serving afternoon tea, cocktails, dinner, and breakfast the next morning. Down a flight of stairs, Culzean Castle has set up the Eisenhower presentation, a tribute to the general and America’s 34th president. The castle grounds are spectacular too with gardens behind the building. Culzean is also a country park with a deer park, aviary and trails through the woods.