Going for a walk in Scotland

A firm family favourite of ours. We have been visiting Culzean for nearly 30 years and have never grown tired of its outstanding beauty and natural variety. There is something for everyone who loves and appreciates the outdoors. From the splendour of Culzean Castle itself to the stunning small beach and children's castle themed playpark, Culzean offers a wonderful day out for those can make the journey to this west coast gem.

Overlooking the Firth of Clyde, the clifftop Culzean Casle built between 1777 and 1792, offers stunning views across to Arron and the Ailsa Craig. The castle is open to the public (fee applies) and offers a glimpse into the life and times of the previous tenants, who include the Marquess of Ailsa, the chief of Clan Kennedy and for a short while General Dwight D. Eisenhower! You can even stay in the castle by booking a few nights in the famous Eisenhower Suite! The views from the rooms are breathtaking. I plan to do this some day for our wedding anniversary.

The whole estate is now in the capable hands of the National Trust for Scotland and they are doing a great job keeping it in stunning condition. We took up membership of the NTS on one of our many visits to Culzean and it has saved us a fortune over the years in entry fees.

The rooms are grand and adorned with all the finery you would expect to find in a castle of this quality. Even though it is an old castle, it doesn't have that off-putting musty smell. It is light and airy, with beautiful paintings, staircases and stunning views at all levels. The entrance hall is completely covered in pistols and swords - im sure there was a prize for guessing how many there was on our last visit. Staff at the castle are very friendly and can pretty much answer any Culzean related question you ask!

There's plenty for the young ones to do with a recently built play castle. It is massive, with sand pits, slides and picnic areas. At the top of the field beyond the kids area is the pond with its huge variety of birds and fish. On our last visit, the swans had put on a show, parading their chicks around. The water is so clear you can almost touch the fish as they float around the pond wall waiting for scraps of food to 'fall' in. Look out for the little cafe that sells the best ice cream in Ayrshire!

From the Castle, there are many woodland trails. These are well sign-posted and spread out to all corners of the estate. Our particular favourite takes you to the top of the estate where you will find tropical trees and plants. There are some old ruins of arches and cottages to explore too. The clifftop walks are superb with small access trails down to the beaches and old out-buildings.

Along from the castle is a quadrant of cafes, shops and toilets. It's a great place to take a rest and perhaps pick up some hand crafted souvenirs. Between the Castle and the cafe area is a lovely book shop. The staff are very friendly and the books are very reasonably priced. It's also a nice area to sit and enjoy a picnic whilst taking in the views.

If you fancy some time on the beach, make your way to the perfectly formed Culzean Bay. It was once a favourite retreat for Victorian families who could afford the privacy and still retains its exclusivity and charm. When the tide is out, there are numerous caves to explore. The beach is great for paddling and getting in up to your knees. In all the time I have been there, I have never once come across a jellyfish - thankfully.

• Culzean Castle
• Deer Park (and Llambas)
• Country Walks & Trails
• Clean beaches
• Caravan site (at top of the park)
• Swan Pond
• Massive childrens play area and timber castle
• Numerous cafes
• Ample car parking
• Beautiful views of Arron & Ailsa Craig
• Regular NTS events
• Entry fee for grounds & castle - purchase on entry or join NTS

Getting there...

The Culzean Estate is situated a few miles from the village of Maybole. It is well sign posted from all routes and is open almost all of the year. Check the Culzean website for details. There is plenty of parking throughout the estate and it is a great place for people with physical access issues.

We love Culzean Castle and we hope it will be there for many generations to enjoy.

I will be adding more to this post as we always discover something new in the estate 🙂

Stephen W