Home > Castles of Aberdeenshire and Scotland > Culzean Castle
This is undoubtedly the most magnificent of Scottish castles with the added attraction of being able to visit the rooms, walk around the exterior and enjoy the surrounding estate. There is a guided tour with enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides. There is a lift to assist disabled visitors reach the upper floors. It is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.
Follow us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Contact Me.
My new novel:
The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
It is pronounced Cullane from when there was a Cullean Castle on the site dating back to 16th century. This was previously known as the House of Cove or Coif due to the caves below. Over the years the Kennedy families have extended and rebuilt so that it not only became a defensive structure but also a sandstone neoclassical mansion with later additions by Robert Adams.
The tour starts through the porch and into the entrance hall and armoury where there is a huge amount of British Army flintlock pistols on display each having been used in service. Of note on the ceiling is an RAF propeller blade from an aircraft that downed a German Zeppelin near London in 1916 during World War One and was presented to the 3rd Marquess from the No 1 Fighting School at Turnberry in 1919.
Portraits of the wives and husbands adorn the walls throughout. Other notable objects include finely embroidered firescreens, some with the Kennedy crest and curling stones from the granite at Ailsa Craig. These were used on the nearby ponds.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
Other rooms toured through include the library, dining room, dressing and bedrooms and a Victorian water closet. Furniture of interest is the dwarf bookcases and the gentleman's wardrobe.
The Oval Staircase is considered to be the masterpiece of Robert Adam and is a reversal of traditional architecture with the Doric columns on the ground floor and the Corintian columns below the Ionic. This visually tricks viewers into thinking that the area is larger than it appears. A portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte, which was acquired during the Napoleonic Wars, sits here.
A brief glimpse of the Eisenhower apartments, which can be rented out as holiday accommodation, can be seen. As a Scottish thanks to America for their support during the Second World War General Dwight D Eisenhower, who led the Allied Forces, was given lifetime use of this West Wing. It was nicknamed the Scottish Whitehouse since he resided here three times, including when he was the President of the USA.
Throughout visitors learn about the history of Culzean Castle and the military role played by each Earl. For example Captain Archibald Kennedy of the Royal Navy aided the family fortunes when he captured enemy ships and was able to claim up to three-eights of its cargo, prisoners and the ship as prize money. Many of his battle paintings are on display as is his silver salver which was presented to him by the British community in Lisbon. He later became the second most senior British officer in North America during the American War of Independence.
The round drawing room is worth the climb to see super views across the Firth of Clyde and the Ayrshire Coast.
Do look out for the stunning painting entitled The Lion and the Mouse painted by Frans Snyders which was based on the Aesop fable. This can be seen in the blue drawing room. Other notable artist's works include landscapes by Alexander Nasmyth, the famed Scottish artist.
The tour ends in the kitchens where meals and menus are discussed along with various ways of cooking and food preparation through the years. Public toilets can be found just outside the kitchen.
Surrounding buildings include the Royal Artillery House which were gifted by their War Memorial fund so that soldiers of the RA and retired members of their Association could enjoy the accommodation. These are now holiday cottages available to rent on a weekly basis.
In 1969 the Culzean Castle Country Park became Scotland's first Country Park and is still popular with families today. There are woodlands, a deer park, formal gardens, and a swan pond set in over 600 acres of land.
There are many ducks for the children to feed and a stunning walled garden. By the large lawn is a small cafe selling drinks and ice-cream. There is a larger restaurant by the old farm buildings which sells a wide range of hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks.
There is plenty of parking, a toy shop and second hand book shop. Do look out for the smuggler statue which reflects the history of smuggling in the area.
For up to date admission prices and opening times please visit the National Trust for Scotland website at www.nts.org.uk
Maybole
Ayrshire
KA19 8LE
We stayed at the Portpatrick Hotel in Dumfries and Galloway and visited on the way back to Aberdeen.
More Scottish Tourist Attractions
More Scottish Castles
Culzean Castle
Photographs and information about Culzean Castle Scotland including its country park, visitor centre and touring this magnificent historic buildingThis is undoubtedly the most magnificent of Scottish castles with the added attraction of being able to visit the rooms, walk around the exterior and enjoy the surrounding estate. There is a guided tour with enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides. There is a lift to assist disabled visitors reach the upper floors. It is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.
Follow us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Contact Me.
My new novel:
The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
It is pronounced Cullane from when there was a Cullean Castle on the site dating back to 16th century. This was previously known as the House of Cove or Coif due to the caves below. Over the years the Kennedy families have extended and rebuilt so that it not only became a defensive structure but also a sandstone neoclassical mansion with later additions by Robert Adams.
The tour starts through the porch and into the entrance hall and armoury where there is a huge amount of British Army flintlock pistols on display each having been used in service. Of note on the ceiling is an RAF propeller blade from an aircraft that downed a German Zeppelin near London in 1916 during World War One and was presented to the 3rd Marquess from the No 1 Fighting School at Turnberry in 1919.
Portraits of the wives and husbands adorn the walls throughout. Other notable objects include finely embroidered firescreens, some with the Kennedy crest and curling stones from the granite at Ailsa Craig. These were used on the nearby ponds.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
Other rooms toured through include the library, dining room, dressing and bedrooms and a Victorian water closet. Furniture of interest is the dwarf bookcases and the gentleman's wardrobe.
The Oval Staircase is considered to be the masterpiece of Robert Adam and is a reversal of traditional architecture with the Doric columns on the ground floor and the Corintian columns below the Ionic. This visually tricks viewers into thinking that the area is larger than it appears. A portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte, which was acquired during the Napoleonic Wars, sits here.
A brief glimpse of the Eisenhower apartments, which can be rented out as holiday accommodation, can be seen. As a Scottish thanks to America for their support during the Second World War General Dwight D Eisenhower, who led the Allied Forces, was given lifetime use of this West Wing. It was nicknamed the Scottish Whitehouse since he resided here three times, including when he was the President of the USA.
Throughout visitors learn about the history of Culzean Castle and the military role played by each Earl. For example Captain Archibald Kennedy of the Royal Navy aided the family fortunes when he captured enemy ships and was able to claim up to three-eights of its cargo, prisoners and the ship as prize money. Many of his battle paintings are on display as is his silver salver which was presented to him by the British community in Lisbon. He later became the second most senior British officer in North America during the American War of Independence.
The round drawing room is worth the climb to see super views across the Firth of Clyde and the Ayrshire Coast.
Do look out for the stunning painting entitled The Lion and the Mouse painted by Frans Snyders which was based on the Aesop fable. This can be seen in the blue drawing room. Other notable artist's works include landscapes by Alexander Nasmyth, the famed Scottish artist.
The tour ends in the kitchens where meals and menus are discussed along with various ways of cooking and food preparation through the years. Public toilets can be found just outside the kitchen.
Surrounding buildings include the Royal Artillery House which were gifted by their War Memorial fund so that soldiers of the RA and retired members of their Association could enjoy the accommodation. These are now holiday cottages available to rent on a weekly basis.
Culzean Castle Country Park
In 1969 the Culzean Castle Country Park became Scotland's first Country Park and is still popular with families today. There are woodlands, a deer park, formal gardens, and a swan pond set in over 600 acres of land.
There are many ducks for the children to feed and a stunning walled garden. By the large lawn is a small cafe selling drinks and ice-cream. There is a larger restaurant by the old farm buildings which sells a wide range of hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks.
There is plenty of parking, a toy shop and second hand book shop. Do look out for the smuggler statue which reflects the history of smuggling in the area.
For up to date admission prices and opening times please visit the National Trust for Scotland website at www.nts.org.uk
Maybole
Ayrshire
KA19 8LE
We stayed at the Portpatrick Hotel in Dumfries and Galloway and visited on the way back to Aberdeen.
More Scottish Tourist Attractions
More Scottish Castles
Culzean Castle Photos
© Site contents copyright AboutAberdeen.com 2004-2024. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy / Disclaimer