Culzean Castle, Maybole, South Ayrshire KA19 8LE
Why Should We Visit?
Culzean Castle is Robert Adam’s greatest masterpiece. It sits atop sheer cliffs, overlooking the Firth of Clyde and with views towards Arran and the Mull of Kintyre. Surrounding the castle are extensive woodlands and gardens and the beach below the castle has rock pools filled with sea life.
Culzean was the very first property to pass into the care of the National Trust for Scotland and its grounds offer endless opportunities for exploration.
Story of the Garden
The castle was rebuilt in the late 18th century for Ayrshire’s Kennedy clan and during the following century the 1st Marquis of Alisa undertook the planting of five million trees, creating the 120 hectares of mixed woodland that surround the castle today.
Seventeen miles of pathways crisis-cross the estate, some leading down to the beach and others following trails through the woods.
As well as the castle itself there are many notable buildings spread throughout the estate including a magnificent Gothic camellia house, where tender examples of this beautiful shrub are still overwintered.
Highlights
The Fountain Court, next to the castle, is a sheltered sunken garden where many tender plants flourish, protected from frost by the castle walls and the estate’s proximity to the sea. Even late in the year the terraces are colourful, while cabbage palms give the garden an exotic appearance.
Built into the base of the Fountain Court is an orangery, where citrus trees flourish.
Don’t Miss
Built in the 18th century, the Walled Garden at Culzean is one of the largest in Scotland. It consists of two sections divided by a spine wall – the pleasure garden and the kitchen garden, which supplies fruit and vegetables to the cafe.
This was once one of the most innovative gardens in Scotland –pushing horticultural boundaries in the past included the cultivation of peaches, nectarines and apricots gifted to Sir John Kennedy as early as 1730. The onion ‘Ailsa Craig’ was bred by a gardener working at Culzean in the 1870s.
Recently, volunteers and staff at Culzean have been hard at work restoring the gardens, using a range of horticultural techniques and skills from the Victorian age to the present day.
On the way to the walled garden from the castle visitors pass the Deer Park where there are small herds of Red deer and llamas.
Anything Else To Look Out For?
At the far end of the estate lies the magnificent Swan Pond, which is a magnet for bird life. Next to this are the Adventure Cove and Wild Woodland play areas - an extensive area of adventurous activities for children of all ages. And from here it is just a short walk to the beach at Maidens.
Best Time To Visit
In autumn the trees at Culzean reveal their true beauty as their leaves turn glorious colours before carpeting the ground beneath them in a thick layer. Squirrels are active now and otters can be spotted around the streams and along the shoreline.
Any Recommendations in the Area?
Straiton Monument, seven miles east of Maybole, was built to commemorate Col James Hunter Blair, who fell at the battle of Inkerman in 1854. The monument is a short but steep climb from Straiton village, but the views from the top make the effort worthwhile. The path to the summit continues along the ridge of the hill and connects with other footpaths set amongst the beautiful South Ayrshire countryside.
Directions:
From the A77 turn onto the B7023 and head west for five miles.
Details:
Tickets: £18.50/£13.50/£10.50
Tel: 01655 884455
www.nts.org.uk
There can be no better way to wake up in the morning than amidst 12 acres of beautiful gardens and the opening of a beautiful new lodge at Glenwhan Gardens near Stranraer offers the chance to get away from it all in incredible surroundings.
The lodge sleeps up to six people and has a private balcony from where the views across Luce Bay are spectacular.
Glenwhan has been developed from rock and moorland over the last 40 years and it contains a huge and eclectic mix of rare and unusual plans, shrubs and trees.
Visitors to the gardens can stroll amongst the scenic landscape, or if they can explore the 17 acre moorland walk that leads from the garden. Tree lovers will be captivated by the numbered tree trail that takes a tour around more than 130 different species, including a Himalayan Blue Pine and a Serbian Spruce.
Many of the plants at Glenwhan come from the Southern Hemisphere, and plants from New Zealand and Chilli thrive in the coastal atmosphere, where frosts are a rare occurrence.
At the heart of the garden are two huge ponds, which were scooped out of boggy ground to create an impressive water garden surrounded by all kinds of marginal plants, including irises and Candelabra primulas, and these are fed by a stream that flows from a reservoir on the moor above the garden.
Glenwhan has a small plant nursery and also a tea room serving home made soup, sandwiches and cakes, making it an enjoyable place to visit for plant aficionados and for anyone who just wants a day out in beautiful surroundings.
Glenwhan Gardens
Dunragit, by Stranraer
Galloway DG9 8PH
Www.Glenwhan gardens.co.uk
In Association With Discover Scottish Gardens. See discoverscottishgardens.org
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