Culzean Castle
Culzean
Maybole
South Ayrshire KA19 8LE
When the weather turns cold and frosted leaves are crispy underfoot, there is nowhere more atmospheric than Culzean Castle. From the battlements there are views of the snow-capped mountains on Arran while deep in the woodlands, deer and squirrels forage amongst the trees.
This huge estate, with its cliffs and beaches, formal gardens and wild woods, occupies an elevated position, high above the Firth of Clyde and aside from its iconic Robert Adam architecture, it owes much of its formidable beauty from the five million trees that were planted during the 18th century.
Today these mature giants form a dense shelter belt that protects the gardens from the prevailing winds and deep within them lies a double walled garden, one side decorative, the other productive, where amongst the many plants are borders dedicated to those used to brewing.
During the summer, a double perennial border marches down the centre of the vegetable garden, while in autumn apples, pears and plums grow in abundance in the orchard.
Closer to the castle lies Fountain Court, a sunken garden where all kinds of semi-tender flowers continue performing well into autumn. The fountain itself is a glamorous centrepiece, with dolphins and a nymph cavorting above a large pool. Citrus trees overwinter in the orangery set into the lower level, while not far away sits an exquisite camellia house, where more delicate species of this favourite spring shrub are protected from frost.
One of the most beautiful buildings on the estate is the Gothic camellia house. When camellias first arrived during the 18th century, they were believed to be too tender to survive in the Scottish climate, so wealthy landowners had beautiful garden rooms created in order to house them.
Today the camellia house at Culzean still performs this function, sheltering more tender varieties of the shrub.
At the southern end of the estate, close to where steps lead down to Maidens beach, is the Swan Pond, a five acre pool surrounded by trees and home to many different kinds of wildfowl.
Here and in other parts of the estate there are giant willow structures designed by Galloway-based artist Trevor Leat. One to look out for is the Ailsa Onion Arbour, dedicated to the show bench favourite, which was bred on the estate.
With 18 miles of paths and tracks, Culzean offers space for both long walks and gentle strolls and amongst the intriguing sights to see along the way is a deerpark shared by both red deer and llamas.
Some of the paths lead down to the shoreline and to the caves that lie beneath the castle, these were once the haunt of smugglers and, along with an extensive range of adventure playgrounds, they are one of the features that makes Culzean a favourite with children.
Details:
The entrance to the estate is on the A719, 12 miles south of Ayr.
Some parts of the estate are wheelchair accessible. A full accessibility guide is available on the NTS website.
Culzean Castle gardens and country park are open daily, 10am - 4pm.
Tickets: £7/£5/£4 (children)/£1 (Young Scot)
Tel: 01655 884455
information@nts.org.uk
www.nts.org.uk
In association with Discover Scottish Gardens www.discoverscottishgardens.co.uk
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