Culzean Casxtle and Country Park

Culzean Castle and Country Park is one of the gems  of the National Trust for Scotland's property portfolio.  Culzean has a long tradition of welcoming local people, members of The National Trust for Scotland and holiday makers from all around the world.  The 600 acre Estate offers many spectacular features.

Situated on the South Ayrshire coast, just off the A719, Culzean Castle and Country Park is located 12 miles south of Ayr and 4 miles west of Maybole.

The first written reference to a Tower House at Culzean dates to the 1400's, although it is possible there was a building here even earlier. The recorded history of Culzean properly starts in 1569 when Sir Thomas Kennedy was given the Culzean estates by his brother, the 4th Earl of Cassillis. He began building and enlarging the tower house around the 1590's.

An account of 1632 describes 'THE HOUSSE OF THE COVE buildid with grate cost and expensse, some 40 zeirs agoe by Sir Thomas Kennedy of Culzeane, Tutor of Cassiles'.

As times became more settled, Culzean became of a family home.  By the 17th century terraces and pleasure gardens had been constructed. In the 18th century the Castle was transformed from a relatively modest tower house into a neoclassical mansion under the direction of Robert Adam.

The oval staircase is an Adam masterpiece, reflecting his logical and imaginative approach to architecture. With little space available, he created a dramatic focal point which united all the different phases of the castle. The entire house seems to have been built around it when, in fact, it was the last phase of Adam’s work at Culzean.

Over recent years areas of woodland and a variety of buildings within the estate have been restored.  The former home farm has been redeveloped as a visitor centre and cultivation of the walled garden, with extensive green house with a variety of grapes, add interest for the visitor.

The country park is open throughout the years and the ranger services, supported by the Ayrshire local authorities, provide educational activities and assist in the conservation of the estate environment.

Sunken Garden at Culzean ca. 1967.  Photograph   ©MBailey

During the Summer Season, the Castle, gardens, Visitor Centre, shops and restaurants are open daily.   During the Winter season our Visitor Centre Shops and Restaurant are open each Saturday and Sunday (with the exception of the Christmas and New Year period).  The country park is open throughout the year.

Opening Hours in 2011 will be:

Country Park : 9.00am until dusk every day
All vehicles must leave by sunset

Country Park 'Only' Ticket:

Adult - £9.00
Child / Concession - £6.50
Family - £22.00
Single Adult Family - £16.50 (max 1 adult and up to 4 children)

For further information, please follow this LINK

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Art at Croy

Situated on the beautiful Ayrshire coast line adjacent to Culzean Castle and overlooked by Ailsa Craig & isle of Arran is Croy House, where the recently established Art at Croy Gallery & Studio has been set up by husband & wife team Alison and Roddy Mckenzie.

The locality could not be more inspirational with nearby open golf championship courses Turnberry, Prestwick & Royal Troon all within a 20 mile radius. Robert Burns created some of his most famous works in nearby Alloway, Kirkoswald & Mauchline.

The studio runs regular art classes for adults, and occasional exhibitions by both established and up and coming artists.

Please click on 'newsletter' above for details. The studio is also available to rent on an hourly rate, offering the discerning artist everything including the option for one-to-one tutorials with established artists.

For further information please follow this LINK

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During the academic year 2008/09 Alison Bell was the resident artist at Carrick Academy. Working with a small number of students, her workshop group developed a series of digital images from their initial studies based on recollections and artefacts from the boot and shoe industry in Maybole. 

Here, visitors admire some of the large scale fabric prints prepared from a collage of digital images. The large scale prints were prepared with assistance from staff at Glasgow School of Art. Commenting on the material produced in the workshops, Alison said, "this artwork, evidence of so much effort and talent, should be applauded by the whole community. They've created their world for us to enjoy and share and that's what's it's all about. Isn't it?"

Alison Bell, artist and founder member of the Ayrshire Arts Network has continued her involvement with the Academy through an after-school art club open to all pupils. They are now preparing a lottery funding application so that the after school art studio and other projects, so popular with the pupils, might be able to continue.

Photograph ©Merlin Currie

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