Culzean Castle, South Ayrshire One Place Study
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Location: Culzean Castle, South Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Surnames/tags: One_Place_Studies Scotland Ayrshire
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Culzean Castle, South Ayrshire One Place Study
Name
Culzean Castle, South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK
Geography
- Continent: Europe
- Sovereign State: United Kingdom
- Country: Scotland
- County: Ayrshire
- GPS Coordinates: 55.3544, -4.7895
- Elevation: 150 feet
Overview
The 'Z' in Culzean is silent, and the name is pronounced 'Cullane'. (Scots: Cullain)
On South Ayrshire's West coast overlooking the Firth of Clyde sits the major tourist attraction Culzean Castle. It's views of the isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig (aka Paddy's Milestone) add to the beauty of the site and make it a photographers paradise.
Most of what exists today was the work of David Kennedy (1734-1792) 10th Earl of Cassillis who employed Scottish architect Robert Adam (1728-1792) to re-build the castle with an opulent interior and a Gothic exterior which would reflect the high status of the Kennedy's. Including the gardens, the entire site encompasses 563 acres, all of which currently falls under the protection of the National Trust for Scotland.
With ancestral ties to Robert the Bruce (1274-1329), Clan Kennedy made Culzean their home for many centuries.
To protect the area against invasion by Napoleon of France, Archibald Kennedy (1770-1846) 12th Earl of Cassillis started the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry Regiment in 1745.
In 1794, at Culzean Castle to guard against any potential invasion by Napoleon of France.
Starting in 1972, the Royal Bank of Scotland displayed the castle on the back side of their five pound note. The scene was removed starting in 2016.
Most tourists visiting the castle today are unaware of the sea caves 150 feet below which were reportedly used for smuggling in the old days.
The Kennedy's coat of arms reflects the dolphin motif seen around Culzean.
It was Charles Kennedy, the 5th Marquess of Ailsa who gifted Culzean to the National Trust for Scotland in 1945, but he continued to live there until his death in 1956.
Clan Kennedy
The Kennedy's were recipients of several elevated titles such as Baronet, Lord, Earl, and Marquess throughout their history.
Decended from the Earls of Carrick, South Ayrshire had been populated by the Kennedy's not only in Culzean but also in nearby Dunure and Cassillis Castles as well throughout the centuries.
Family 'de Carrick' (aka MacKenedi) started in South Ayrshire with Fergus Galloway (abt.1078-1161) declaring himself Lord of Galloway. His grandson, Duncan de Carrick carried on the family name until he became the 1st Earl of Carrick, he then started using the name Kennedy, and thereafter becoming head of Clan Kennedy.
The first real seat of the clan in the area was nearby Dunure Castle which was acquired by John Kennedy (1436-1508) and who later also acquired the lands at Cassillis.
When the family seat changed to the Cassillis area, the Earl of Carrick title was replaced by the Earl of Cassillis starting with David Kennedy (1463-1513).
Kennedy Peerage
Note: To put everything is perspective it is fitting to start with Fergus Galloway and work our way through the history of Culzean, Dunure, and Cassillis with the titled members of Ayrshire's Kennedy family. Some of the family noted in this summary are profiled later in the 'Notable People' heading within this One Place Study.
Fergus Galloway (aka de Carrick) (aka Kennedy) (abt.1078-1161) 1st Lord of Galloway
Gilbert Mac Fergus Galloway (aka de Carrick) (1126-1185) 2nd Lord of Galloway, son of Fergus Galloway (abt. 1078-1161)
Duncan (de Carrick) Kennedy (bef.1164-1252) 1st Earl of Carrick, son of Gilbert Mac Fergus Galloway (aka de Carrick) (1126-1185)
Niall (de Carrick) Kennedy (1202-1256) 2nd Earl of Carrick, son of Duncan Kennedy (bef. 1164-1252). It's notable that Niall's daughter Margaret (de Carrick) Kennedy married Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale (1243-1304), and their son was Robert The Bruce (1274-1329) King of Scots (King Robert I) from 1306-1329
Sir Roland (de Carrick) Kennedy (1226-1275) son of Niall Kennedy (1202-1256)
Sir Gilbert FitzRoland (de Carrick) Kennedy (1253-1306) son of Sir Roland Kennedy 1226-1275)
Sir Gilbert (de Carrick) Kennedy (1290-1385) son of Sir Gilbert FitzRoland Kennedy (1253-1306)
Sir John Kennedy (1310-1385) Steward of Carrick, son of Sir Gilbert Kennedy (1290-1385)
Sir Gilbert Kennedy of Dunure (1348-1408) son of Sir John Kennedy (1310-1385)
James Kennedy of Dunure (1376-1408) son of Sir Gilbert Kennedy of Dunure (1348-1408)
Gilbert Kennedy (1405-1489) 1st Lord Kennedy, son of James Kennedy of Dunure (1376-1408)
John Kennedy (1436-1508) 2nd Lord Kennedy, son of Gilbert Kennedy, 1st Lord Kennedy (1405-1489)
David Kennedy (1463-1513) 1st Earl of Cassillis, son of John Kennedy, 2nd Lord Kennedy (1436-1508). Born at Culzean, and died at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
Gilbert Kennedy (1485-1527) 2nd Earl of Cassillis, the son of David Kennedy, the 1st Earl of Cassillis. Murdered in Prestwick by Hew Campbell of Loudoun over the lands of Turnberry.
Gilbert Kennedy (1515-1558) 3rd Earl of Cassillis, son of Gilbert Kennedy, the 2nd Earl of Cassillis. He received his title when he was only 12 years old, and died at age 45 of poisoning in Dieppe, Northern France.
Gilbert Kennedy (1541-1576) 4th Earl of Cassillis, son of Gilbert Kennedy, the 3rd Earl of Cassillis. Desiring his neighbors land in 1565, he kidnapped Allan Stewart, the Commendator of Crossraguel, and held him captive at Dunure Castle in the 'Black Vault' to force him to sign over the rights to the lands of Crossraguel Abbey. Roasting him alive over a fire, the plot failed when Stewart was rescued by his brother in law. This earl died in a riding accident.
John Kennedy (1575-1615) 5th Earl of Cassillis, son of Gilbert Kennedy, the 4th Earl of Cassillis. He was only 8 years old when he inherited his title, so his Uncle Thomas Kennedy (1543-1602), referred to as 'The Tutor of Cassillis' took over guardianship of the young Earl as well as over-seer of the estate.
John Kennedy (1601-1668) 6th Earl of Cassillis, son of Hew Kennedy, grandson of Gilbert Kennedy, the 4th Earl of Cassillis, and nephew of John Kennedy, the 5th Earl of Cassillis.
Archibald Kennedy (1653-1710) 1st Baronet of Culzean, son of John Kennedy (abt. 1635-1665).
John Archibald Kennedy (1677-1742) 2nd Baronet of Culzean, son of Archibald Kennedy (1653-1710) 1st Baronet of Culzean. He and his spouse Lady Jean employed a slave servant at Culzean. See profile of Scipio Kennedy in Notable People heading below.
Sir John Kennedy of Culzean (1706-1744) 3rd Baronet of Culzean, son of John Archibald Kennedy (1677-1742) 2nd Baronet of Culzean.
John Kennedy (1653-1701) 7th Earl of Cassillis, son of John Kennedy, the 6th Earl of Cassillis.
John Kennedy (1700-1759) 8th Earl of Cassillis, son of John Kennedy (c.1672-1700) Lord Kennedy and grandson of John Kennedy, 7th Earl of Cassilis. He died without an heir and after three years of litigation, the Court of Sessions determined that Thomas Kennedy of Culzean would succeed him.
Thomas Kennedy of Culzean (1726-1775) 4th Baronet, 9th Earl of Cassillis, the son of Sir John Kennedy of Culzean, 2nd Baronet. He succeeded to the title of 4th Baronet Kennedy, of Culzean in 1744, upon the death of his older brother. He started the rebuilding of Culzean Castle. Not being married, title passed to his brother David Kennedy.
David Kennedy (1734-1792) 10th Earl of Cassillis, brother of Thomas Kennedy, the 9th Earl of Cassillis, son of John Kennedy, 2nd Baronet. David carried on the rebuilding of Culzean Castle started by his brother. Being never married, he willed Culzean to Captain Archibald Kennedy of New York.
Captain Archibald Kennedy (1720-1794) 11th Earl of Cassillis, son of Archibald Kennedy (1685–1763), a distant cousin of the 10th Earl of Cassillis. Born in America, he lived on Manhattan Island, an English colony of New York. After only two years of castle ownership the captain died and left the castle to his son Archibald.
Archibald Kennedy (1770-1846) 12th Earl of Cassillis, (Later The 1st Marquess of Ailsa was the son of Captain Archibald Kennedy, 11th Earl of Cassillis.
Archibald Kennedy (1816-1870) 2nd Marquess of Ailsa, oldest son of the 1st Marquess of Ailsa.
Archibald Kennedy (1847-1938) 3rd Marquess of Ailsa, son of Archibald Kennedy the 2nd Marquess of Ailsa. He added the West Wing onto the castle. He also built the world famous Turnberry golf course down the coast from Culzean.
Archibald Kennedy (1872-1943) 4th Marquess of Ailsa was the son of Archibald Kennedy 3rd Marquess of Ailsa. He and his wife had no children and the title of Marquess went to his brother Charles.
Charles Kennedy (1875-1956) 5th Marquess of Ailsa, son of Archibald Kennedy, 3rd Marquess of Ailsa, and brother of Archibald Kennedy the 4th Marquess of Ailsa.
Note: In 1945, to avoid paying inheritance tax on the estate, the 5th Marquess gave title to Culzean Castle to The National Trust for Scotland, this ends the family involvement in Culzean Castle.
Note: There are other Marquesses beyond this point with no direct ties to Culzean and are therefore not mentioned in this One Place Study.
Building History
It is most certain that there was some form of structure located on the Culzean site between the late 12th century and early 16th century, maybe even before. In the 16th century a stone tower house (Coif Castle, or Cove Castle, named so since it was located above the coves below) was built. In 1762 Sir Thomas Kennedy, the 9th Earl of Cassillis decided to rebuild the tower house on the site overlooking the Firth of Clyde. And again, in 1771 the 9th Earl started to made further improvements to the existing structure as well as add a wing between the old castle (tower) and cliff side, all done by architect Robert Adam.
In 1777 the 10th Earl of Cassillis again employed noted Scottish architect Robert Adam (1728-1792) to make some more improvements which was expanded as time went by. The tower house was rebuilt again and a turreted block structure added to the East and West.
As structure go, they are only as good as the foundation that supports them. Being next to a cliff, Adam knew the importance of a good foundation, and pillars or pylons were sunk into the earth to support the new extensions being located near the cliffs edge.
Interior wise, in the center of all the construction, between the old and the new structures, Adam was challenged and came up with his greatest idea yet, that being a grand oval staircase that provided access to various areas of the completed structures. But Adam was not just a building designer, he also designed many of the interior attributes as well like carpets, furniture, mirrors, and lighting fixtures.
After Robert Adam died in 1792, changes continued through the following years planned out by other architects such as Glasgow based David Hamilton (1768-1843) in 1830, and later by the Edinburgh firm of Wardrop & Reid in 1879 who replaced the 1779 brew-house with the West wing for the 3rd Marquess of Ailsa.
The overall results of Robert Adam and other designers, as well as the masons that actually built the castle, is a regal structure fit for a king (or at least an Earl), one which now welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year from all over the world making Culzean Castle a 'Go To' point for any visitor to South Ayrshire.
The story of Culzean continues as we explore some of the main rooms within the castle walls in the house tour that follows.
House Tour
Following is a tour of rooms on the first floor which are the finished rooms of the castle that are available for visitation. All completed by Robert Adam.
Armoury
if you are into weapons, this is one of the most fascinating places in Culzean which was actually created out of at least two smaller rooms during the times of Adam, those being the original entrance hall, and buffet room. Today, it features a collection of weapons by the 12th Earl of Cassillis dating back to the era's of King George II and III. Total pistol count in the room is 716 which is almost 75% of the overall total weapon count in the castle which numbers a thousand pieces. Covering many battles, the display of weapons are from the Jacobite period in Scotland, the Napoleonic Wars, the Peninsular War, the actions of the East India Company and the American Revolutionary War as well.
Most of the weapons came from those early 1800's battles while others were purchased from the Armoury of the Tower of London. Light Dragoon Flintlock pistols from about 1775 form a large oval shape on the wall with the coat of arms of the Marquess of Ailsa in the middle. This is all surrounded by a lattice design made up of 111 Hanger Swords. A small display of 19th century miniature cannons are located at floor level.
Above the fireplace on the adjacent wall is a display of 40 standard issue pistols in a circular display surrounded by Heavy Dragoon Flintlock holster pistols. Other pistols displayed are either Turkish or North African issue.
Another wall displays 12 inch barrel Heavy Dragoon holster pistols surrounding the inner display of 10 inch barrel Light Dragoon pistols.
A notable and unusual object within the room is the 'Propeller' mounted on the ceiling with a light attached which is from a B.E.2c night fighter flown by Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson during World War I in which he shot down a German zeppelin just outside of London in 1916.
Another item on display is a model of the 40-gun French frigate 'Hortense'. Its crew were captured during the Napoleonic Wars (1803–15) and imprisoned in Portchester Castle on the south coast of England. They occupied their time to make this model (aka 'The ship of bones') from the bones they saved from their beef rations during captivity.
Another treasure in the room is the 'Bloodhound Clock'. It's a silver clock that Archibald Kennedy, the 3rd Marquess of Ailsa had made. As an avid yachtsman he had a racing yacht called the "Bloodhound'. The clock also shows Shakespearean scenes from 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' and 'The Tempest'.
Bedroom and Dressing Room of Lord Cassillis
Not as opulent as you might think but sufficient for a Lord to sleep in. It features a four post Chippendale bed with canopy which was typical of the period. The room features an ornate fireplace as well.
Dining Room
Originally this large room was two rooms, those being the library and a dressing room. The dining room was created by Robert Adam in the 1870's to the wishes of the the 3rd Marquess of Ailsa.
The colour scheme is the same as the original from the 18th century.
The 19th century dining table is centered under the Victorian frieze ceiling and chandelier (originally designed for gas lighting). The detail work in frieze ceilings was traditionally done using plaster but this ceiling was done using papier-mâché. It looks just like plaster but was actually made from layered and pulped paper. A fireplace also sits adjacent to the dining table. Four side tables are Chippendale. China is porcelain dating to the late 18th century.
There are multiple painting around the room of some of the Marquesses of Ailsa and their spouses.
Eiisenhower Presentation Room
A mini museum explaining the connection of Dwight D. Eisenhower to Culzean Castle.
Read more in the 'The Eisenhower Connection' heading later in this profile.
First Drawing Room Anteroom
A service room to the dining room, that features a barrel ceiling. It originally had a fireplace which was removed at some point in time.
Colours have been done to match originals in a 1970's restoration.
First Drawing Room
The ceiling roundel was originally painted by Italian Antonio Zucchi (1726-1795), and has been restored to its former glory.
Various paintings hang on the walls of some of the past Earls. Chimney glass, girandoles, and mirrors are designs of Robert Adam. A mixture of chairs and other furnishing are of Chippendale, English, and Dutch.
Old Eating Room
This room occupies the exact location of the original castle tower house. It was the first room to be remodeled by Robert Adam in 1777, but was converted to a library in the 1870's for the 3rd Marquess of Ailsa during the enlarging process.
The ceiling was again painted by Antonio Pietro Francesco Zucchi, an Italian painter and print maker of the Neoclassic period. The original colour scheme was restored in 1973 when the room was again converted into a sitting room.
Oval Staircase
Through all the remodeling that Robert Adam did to Culzean, he ended up with an odd oval space in the middle of everything and had to come up with some sort of creative feature for the space. The end result was an oval staircase fit for a castle. It reaches through all three floors with a graceful oval sweep.
Multiple white colonnades on the second level are capped with Corinthian capitals trimmed in gold leaf. To give an illusion of extreme height on the third level the colonnades are slimmer at the top. All the columns are painted white and stand out against the pale blue walls and bright red carpet.
Picture Room
Originally part of the old tower, it was used as the 'High Hall', but now functions as a sitting room with various picture and portraits of some of the Earls.
Mirrors, sconces, and torcheres are to Robert Adam designs. Furniture includes chairs of the Queen Anne design, an English sofa from the late 1700's,
Colours have been updated to original shades in the 1970's restoration.
Ceiling was painted by Antonio Zucchi.
Saloon Anteroom
Used as a service room, it sits next to the saloon and is furnished very simply. It does have a barrel organ from the late 18th century by Broderip & Wilkinson of London. Again, the original colour scheme of the room was restored during a 1970's renovations.
Saloon
Located in the 'Drum Tower', the saloon sits above the cliff side with the rocky beach 150 feet below. It has dramatic ocean views of the Firth of Clyde, with the Isle of Arran, Mull of Kintyre, and Loch Fyne all off in the distance.
During a 1970's restoration, the walls and ceiling were brought back to their original colour scheme.
Carpet design was by Adam and made locally in nearby Maybole. There is a mixture of chairs, some by Adam and some are French made. Adam also designed the torcheres, mirrors, and candle sconces.
Caves of Culzean
Most visitors are unaware that there are caves below Culzean that they can actually visit. Most people are not that ambitious or physically able to explore these hidden gems, but if you are of the adventurous type, they are worth the effort.
The caves likely hid smugglers during the18th century when they were used for hiding contraband alcohol, tobacco and silks within its sprawling tunnels.
Digs within the caves were undertaken in 2017 and radiocarbon testing results from charcoal samples taken revealed them to be between 135 and 325 A.D., suggesting the caves were occupied during the Iron Age which predates any above-ground structures.
A medieval-era doorway was found on one exploration of the caves in 2018 measuring three and a half feet wide which lead to a find of artifacts that included shards of modern pottery, glass and 18th-century wine bottles.
Ghostly Stories
Several ghost stories persist, such as the following.
One ghost is thought to be a Kennedy ancestor, a ghostly piper who plays the pipes in the castle grounds in celebration of the marriages of Kennedy Clan family members. Legend has it that a piper and his dog once ventured into the caves below and were never seen again.
In 1976 two tourists reported seeing a misty shape moving up the oval staircase, and this could be the ghost of a princess who was killed in the Green Room, and who now haunts the castle and rearranges the furniture. This has been sighted many times.
Another is of a supernatural knight who abducted a young heiress and held her captive in the castle. This may be confused with a true story, as May Kennedy from Culzean was abducted by Sir John Cathcart, and she pushed him to his death off the cliff.
Eisenhower Connection
In 1945 when the 5th Marquess of Ailsa donated Culzean Castle to the National Trust for Scotland, he stipulated that part of the castle be presented to U.S. General Eisenhower (aka 'Ike') (later U.S. President), as a thank you from the British people for commanding the allied forces during World War II. This gift became known as the 'Scottish White House'.
The opulent suite offers panoramic views of the Firth of Clyde, Arran and Campbelltown as well as the majestic Ailsa Craig. Ike first visited Culzean in 1946 and continued to visit in retirement as well. When he and his family were in residence, the U.S. flag was always flown above the castle.
The residence comprises of a 6 bedroom suite on the top level providing enough space for the general and his family on numerous visits. The bedrooms are named as follows: 'The Eisenhower' (the General and President), The Ailsa' (derived from Ailsa Craig, a volcanic island located in the Firth of Clyde), 'The Gault' (named after General Sir James (Jimmy) Gault, Eisenhower's Chief of Staff during the Battle of Europe), 'The Adam' (named for architect Robert Adam), 'The Cairncross' (named after Hugh Cairncross, the Clerk of Works employed by Robert Adam during the late 18th Century re-design of the Castle), and 'The Kennedy' (named after the family of the Earl of Cassillis and the Marquess of Ailsa).
The 'Eisenhower' also has a circular Drawing Room and elegant dining room attached and is available for private stays which is one of the most exclusive places to stay anywhere in Scotland.
The Drawing Room features panoramic views across the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran - and on a clear day you might even catch a glimpse of the coast of Ireland.
Gas House
Culzean's Gas House was commissioned by the 12th Earl of Cassillis; one of his numerous improvements. It sits to the North of castle nestled in a clearing above the beach.
The Gas House provided coal gas for lighting and cooking in the castle up until the 1940's when the castle was electrified. It was restored in 1992 to it's former glory.
The Gas Managers House has been converted into a Museum which through a series of information boards tells the story about the life and achievements of William Murdoch (1754 -1839) who is generally regarded as the "Father of Gas Lighting".
Note: This OPS author is a (very) distant relative of William Murdoch.
Country Park
The country park is overseen by the National Trust for Scotland and is open to the public.
Created in 1969, the 500 acre park is planted with conifers and beech and finished off with a 'swan pond', an ice house, flamboyant formal gardens, fruit-filled glasshouses, and rich with wildlife. It's has over 17 miles of walking path's and has many out-buildings and other features as well. Following is a summary of its features.
Fountain Court
Facing the castle, the fountain in the aptly named 'Fountain Court at Culzean Castle'. It dates from 1877 and was built in the Baroque style from pink granite. It shows Triton holding up a conch shell with dolphins spouting water below. The fountain was based on Bernini’s Triton Fountain in the Piazza Barberini, Rome, Italy.`
Orangery
The Orangery is situated beside the Fountain Court and the castle terraces, and is believed to date back to 1840. It was designed by John Patterson (XXXX-1832), a Scottish architect who trained with Robert Adam and worked with him on several important projects.
The earliest record of oranges being grown in Britain was at Beddington, an estate near London. In 1580, Sir Frances Carew (c.1530-1611) managed to grow orange trees from the seeds of oranges brought back by Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618) from one of his expeditions.
Today, a wide range of citrus trees from the Citrus Centre in Sussex, including specimen clementines, blood and navel oranges, a lemon and a lime are lovingly cared for at Culzean as they were for the Kennedy's of old. They were a symbol of prestige and wealth for their owners.
The earliest structures built to protect citrus and other tender plants were to built to protect trees over winter period, from where the word greenhouse comes. Some of these evolved into orangeries in the 18th and 19th centuries as it did at Culzean.
Camellia House
The Camellia house was built in 1818 possibly by James Donaldson (pupil of Robert Adam). Originally planned as an orangery with an underfloor heating system, it failed to produce fruit and so simply acted as a conservatory. Growing Camellia flowers were very successful though and gave the house its later name.
The National Trust for Scotland excavated Camellia House in 1994. They discovered the boiler system was powered by heat from 2 external fires to create warm air which was then distributed underneath the stone-slabbed floor in the house (hypocaust).
The only controls were either 'on or off' as you cannot control the heat coming off an open flame. The lowest temperature was controlled by the outdoor temperature and the maximum temperature was around 37ºC. Humidity can also be added by heating pools of water. Hypocaust systems are no longer used because toxic fumes including carbon monoxide created by the fire in the furnace often crept into the main building. Also if the fire went out of control it could easily destroy or damage the building and anyone inside.
When the building was restored in 1995 with new windows, the original heating equipment was removed from the floor and replaced anew. Today's version is called radiant heating and is quite common in most new homes.
Aviary
The bird house was designed by architect Robert Lugar (1733-1855) in 1820. Early survey drawings made by Ian G Lindsay, circa 1950, reveal that the arcade on the west elevation was a framework for wire mesh, prior to being glazed. A photograph, dated 1959 shows the cottage with a different chimney stack, it having been altered during stonework repairs of 1990-91.
Swan Pond
Designed by Thomas White and son Thomas White Junior for the 10th Earl of Cassillis, it was built between 1790 and 1816 and refurbished in 1903. It is an Irregularly-shaped artificial pond of 13 acres and is home to white swans as well as geese.
It was subsequently rebuilt and enlarged for the 12th Earl, who later became the 1st Marquess of Ailsa, probably with the advice of White's son. Swan Cottage, a dwelling with poultry houses in its wings, was built at the time of the enlargement of the pond, to designs by Robert Lugar.
Home Farm
Designed by Robert Adam in 1777 the 'Home Farm' was converted to a visitor centre by The National Trust for Scotland. The Home Farm complex is built around a courtyard and contains a restaurant, shops, information and exhibition space.
Walled Garden
At the heart of the landscape is the Walled Garden. Laid out in 1786, the garden is used to grow plums, pears, blueberries, among other fruit. The greenhouse was built in the 19th century (very modern for its time). The design of the brick wall also has its uses: the laying of the brick is designed to keep in heat, and therefore save on costs to maintain warm temperatures.
Built in the 18th century, the Walled Garden at Culzean is one of the largest in Scotland and a significant garden by anyone's standards. It consists of two sections divided by a spine wall – the pleasure garden and the kitchen garden, which supplies fruit and vegetables to the castle kitchen staff.
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. The ‘Ailsa Craig’ onion was bred by a gardener working at Culzean in the 1870s.
It is said that the wall was built over the site of former slave servants Scipio Kennedy's house.
Lady Ailsa’s Pleasure Garden
Adjacent to the Walled Garden is Lady Ailsa’s Pleasure Garden. The thriving garden is full of exotic plants, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Designed in a Victorian fashion, the garden provides visitors to enjoy a sunny afternoon, all made better by the colour display of the flowers.
Notable People
[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]
Robert Adam (1728-1792) Architect and Designer, FRSE FRS FSAScot FSA FRSA
Born: Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
Died: At home, 11 Albermarle Street, London, England
Resting Place: Westminster Abbey
Bio Summary: Robert was the designer and builder of the first New Brig of Ayr in 1750-1799. He was employed by the 9th earl to do some upgrades on Culzean starting in 1771. He was also the key architect in the rebuilding of Culzean Castle for the 10th Earl of Cassillis starting in 1777.
he was a man of many talents in that he not only designed building structures, but also designed interior rooms, carpet, girandoles, tables and chairs, urns, torcheres, mirrors as well.
Parents: William Adam (1689-1748) and Mary Robertson (1699-1791)
Siblings: Jenny Adam (1717-XXXX), Mary Adam (1720-1720), John Adam (1721-1792), Helen Adam (1723-XXXX), Margaret Peggy Adam (1725-1820), Elizabeth Adam (1729-1796), Janet Adam (1730-XXXX), James Adam (1732-1794), Mary Adam (1734-1799), Margaret Adam (1734-XXXX), Helen Adam (1735-XXXX), Susannah Adam (1738-XXXX), William Adam (1738-1821).
Spouse: Never married
Children: None
For more information see WikiTree Profile Adam-1127
William Nathan Boyd (aka Billy Boyd) (1968-Still Living) Actor
Born: Glasgow, Scotland
Died: N/A
Resting Place: N/A
Bio Summary: He worked as a bookbinder for six years before pursuing an acting career. After graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he went on to perform with St Andrews Repertory and the Traverse Theatre.
He started his acting career in 1998 and in 2001-2003 he starred as Peregrin "Pippin" Took in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He has been actively acting ever since.
He made a visit to Culzean in 2009 and fell in love with it. Enough so that he became a supporter of the National Trust for Scotland.
Parents: William Boyd (XXXX-XXXX) and Mary (Last Name Unknown) (XXXX-XXXX)
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: Alison McKinnon (XXXX-XXXX) Married 2010
Children: Jack William Boyd (2006-XXXX), Others unknown
Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) (aka 'Ike'), General U.S. Army, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War II. Later to be President of the United States.
Born: Denison, Grayson, Texas, United States
Died: Abilene, Dickinson, Kansas, United States
Resting Place: Dwight Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Abilene, Kansas
Bio Summary: As a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II, he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe and had the responsibility for planning and supervising the invasion of North Africa during 'Operation Torch' in 1942–43 and the successful invasion of France and Germany in 1944–45, from the Western Front. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO. He went on to be the President of the United States of America in 1953.
When the 5th Marquess of Ailsa donated Culzean to the National Trust for Scotland, he stipulated that the top floor be awarded to the General for his service in World War II, from the people of Britain.
On his first trip to Scotland in October, 1946, the 'Freedom of the Burgh' award was conferred on him by the townspeople of nearby Maybole - which he was later noted as saying was his "Scottish hometown"
A keen golfer, Ike certainly engaged his passion for the sport in its homeland and was even pictured playing in military uniform at St Andrews in 1946. in 2009 he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Describing Culzean as a place he could relax, his longest stay came after his retirement where he used the peace and seclusion of the castle grounds to further enjoy his passion for oil painting.
Parents: David Jacob Eisenhower (1863-1942) and Ida Elizabeth Stover (1862-1946)
Siblings: Arthur Bradford Eisenhower (1886-1958), Edgar Newton Eisenhower (1889-1971), Roy Jacob Eisenhower (1892-1942), Paul A. Eisenhower (1894-1895), Earl Dewey Eisenhower (1898-1968), Milton Stover Eisenhower (1899-1985)
Spouse: Mamie Geneva Doud (1896-1979) Married 1916
Children: Doud Dwight Eisenhower (1917-1921), John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower (1922-2013)
For more information see WikiTree Profile Eisenhower-1
Capt. Archibald Kennedy (1718-1794) 11th Earl of Cassillis
Born: New York, New York, USA
Died: New York, New York, USA
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: He lived in New York City on Manhattan Island in the Kennedy mansion, and at one time owned Liberty Island in New York (it actually it sits on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River), the site of the Statue of Liberty. His father went to America early in life and became Receiver General and Customs Collector in New York.
The Captain was an officer in the Royal Navy and was promoted several times during his service ending up as Commander-in-Chief, North American Station, as the Senior Captain present.
He left New York in 1792 and returned to Scotland to take up his title of 11th Earl but died just two years later back in New York.
Parents: Archibald Kennedy (1685–1763) and Maria Walter (1689–1764)
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse Number 1: Katherine Schuyler (1737–1765) Married before 1765
Children: None
Spouse Number 2: Anne Watts (1744–1793)
Children: Archibald Kennedy, 12th Earl of Cassillis, 1st Marquess of Ailsa (1770–1846), Hon. John Kennedy (1771–1859), Hon. Robert Kennedy (1773–1843), Lady Anne (XXXX-1820)
For more information see WikiTree profile Kennedy-866
Archibald Kennedy (1770-1846) 12th Earl of Cassillis, Later 1st Marquess of Ailsa
Born: Ayrshire, Scotland
Died: Isleworth, London, England
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: He was a Scottish representative in the House of Lords as a from 1796 to 1806. As Baron Ailsa in the County of Ayr in 1808 he also held a seat in the House of Lords. In 1819 he was admitted a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1820, he was honoured as a Knight of the Order of the Thistle, as well a receiving the title of Marquess of Ailsa as well.
As a horse owner he raced many of them that won cups. With his involvement in the sport, he helped create the Ayr Gold Cup.
Parents: Capt. Archibald Kennedy (1720-1794) 11th Earl of Cassillis and Anne Watts (1744–1793)
Siblings: William Kennedy (1740-1805), Robert Kennedy (1773-1843)
Spouse: Margaret Erskine (1772-XXXX) Married 1793
Children: Archibald Kennedy, 2nd Marquess of Ailsa (1794–1832), Lady Anne Kennedy (1798–1877), Lady Margaret Kennedy (1800–1889), Lady Mary Kennedy (1800–1886), The Hon. John Kennedy-Erskine (1802–1831), Lady Alicia Jane Kennedy (1805–1887)
For more information see WikiTree Profile Kennedy-10869
David Kennedy (1734-1792) 10th Earl of Cassillis
Born: Unknown
Died: Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: He employed architect Robert Adam to perform major rebuilding on parts of the castle.
Parents: John Kennedy (XXXX-1742) 2nd Baronet and Jean Douglas (1680-1767)
Siblings: Thomas Kennedy (1726-1775) the 9th Earl of Cassillis, Sir John Kennedy (1656-1742) 3rd Baronet, Elizabeth Kennedy (XXXX-XXXX),Anne Baronet Kennedy (XXXX-XXXX)
Spouse: Never Married
Children: None
Lady Jean Kennedy (1680-1767)
Born: Mains, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Died: Craigbowie, Scotland
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: She grew up knowing that her father was a involved in slave trading. Besides having twenty children of her own, Lady Kennedy was the adoptive mother of Scipio Kennedy, an African slave taken from Guinea as a child.
Parents: Captain Andrew Douglas of Mains, Dunbartonshire, Scotland (abt. 1650-XXXX) and Elizabeth Leslie (1653-1693)
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: Sir John Archilbald Kennedy (1675-1742) 2nd Baronet of Culzean; son of Sir Archibald Kennedy (1650-1710) 1st Baronet of Culzean; Married 1705
Children (Surviving): Sir John Kennedy of Culzean, 3rd Baronet (XXXX-1744), Thomas Kennedy, 9th Earl of Cassillis (1726-1775), David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis (XXXX-1792), Elizabeth Kennedy (XXXX-XXXX), Anne Kennedy (1743-XXXX)
Scipio Kennedy (1694-1774) Slave Servant
Born: Guinea, West Africa
Died: Kirkoswald, South Ayrshire, Scotland
Resting Place: Kirkoswald Old Church graveyard, Maybole, Scotland
Bio Summary: Purchased by Captain Andrew Douglas at age 6 in 1700 either in Guinea or the West Indies he was brought to Scotland as a servant.
He likely was named by Captain Douglas after the Roman general Scipio Africanus, conqueror of Hannibal and one of the greatest military strategists of all time. He lived with Douglas' family for about three years in Edinburgh as daughter Jean's page.
When Douglas' daughter Jean married Sir John Archilbald Kennedy (1675-1742) 2nd Baronet of Culzean they retained Scipio as a servant at Culzean Castle. They adopted him as there own, gave him housing on the estate, and an education. Scipio signed his manumission contract (the contract freeing him from enslavement) and was granted his freedom in 1725 at about age 30 because he had become a Christian. He chose to remain with the Kennedy's because that was the only family and life he ever knew, and they treated him well.
In 1728 he had a sexual relationship with a local caucasian maiden named Margaret Gray, and charged as such with fornication. To solve this situation he married her within a few months of the charge under 'canon law'.
Parents: Unknown
Siblings:Unknown
Spouse: Margaret Gray (1705-1764) Married 1728
Children: Elizabeth Kennedy (1728-XXXX), Jane Kennedy (1730-1781), Duglass Kennedy (1732-1781), Shusanna Kennedy (1734-XXXX), John Kennedy (1737-XXXX), Ann Kennedy (1738-1738), Ann Kennedy (1739-XXXX), Clemantina Kennedy (1742-XXXX), Grace Kennedy (1745-XXXX)
For more information see WikiTree Profile Kennedy-11983
Thomas Kennedy (1726-1775) 9th Earl of Cassillis
Born: Unknown
Died: Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: Employed Robert Adam to start rebuilding Culzean by adding on some smaller low rise buildings.
Parents: John Kennedy (XXXX-1742) 2nd Baronet and Jean Douglas (1680-1767)
Siblings: David Kennedy (1734-1792) the 10th Earl of Cassillis, Sir John Kennedy (1656-1742) 3rd Baronet, Elizabeth Kennedy (XXXX-XXXX),Anne Baronet Kennedy (XXXX-XXXX)
Spouse: Never Married
Children: None
Stay at Culzean
Stays are available in the Eisenhower suite to the general public, they are pricey but an experience one will never forget.
Room rates at the 'Eisenhower Hotel' at Culzean Castle include afternoon cream tea in the drawing room and a full breakfast. Dinner is a separate cost and is served only on Fridays and Saturdays unless by prior arrangement.
A tour of the castle is included in the price.
For more information, more photos and booking details, visit The Eisenhower Hotel’s website.
Sources
- ↑ Celtic Castles; https://www.celticcastles.com
- ↑ Britain Express; https://www.britainexpress.com
- ↑ Undiscovered Scotland; https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
- ↑ Kiddle; https://kids.kiddle.co
- ↑ Slow Europe; https://www.sloweurope.com
- ↑ The National Trust for Scotland; A Tour of Culzean Castle, 1977
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Undiscovered Scotland; https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
- ↑ Geni; https://www.geni.com
- ↑ Clan Kennedy; https://www.ayrshirescotland.com
- ↑ Revolutionary War Journal; https://www.revolutionarywarjournal.com
- ↑ WikiTree; https://www.wikitree.com
- ↑ Genenet; https://gw.geneanet.org
- ↑ The National Trust for Scotland; A Tour of Culzean Castle, 1977
- ↑ Britain Express; https://www.britainexpress.com
- ↑ Love, Dane, Ayrshire, Discovering a County, 2003
- ↑ Academia; https://www.academia.edu
- ↑ Slow Europe; https://www.sloweurope.com
- ↑ The National Trust for Scotland; A Tour of Culzean Castle, 1977
- ↑ Wilson. Stuart; Personal Visit, 1998
- ↑ National Trust for Scotland; https://www.nts.org.uk
- ↑ About Scotland; http://www.aboutscotland.com
- ↑ Slow Europe; https://www.sloweurope.com
- ↑ Smithsonian Magazine; https://www.smithsonianmag.com
- ↑ National Trust for Scotland; https://www.nts.org.uk
- ↑ https://scotlandwelcomesyou.com
- ↑ Daily Record article by Sean Murphy, Feb 11, 2021
- ↑ The National Trust for Scotland; A Tour of Culzean Castle, 1977
- ↑ Wilson. Stuart; Personal Visit
- ↑ Canmore; https://canmore.org.uk
- ↑ Historic Environment Scotland; https://portal.historicenvironment.scot
- ↑ Geograph; https://www.geograph.org.uk
- ↑ Hevac; http://www.hevac-heritage.org
- ↑ The National Trust for Scotland; A Tour of Culzean Castle, 1977
- ↑ Wilson. Stuart; Personal Visit
- ↑ Slow Europe; https://www.sloweurope.com
- ↑ The National Trust for Scotland; A Tour of Culzean Castle, 1977
- ↑ Wilson. Stuart; Personal Visit
- ↑ Engine Shed; https://blog.engineshed.scot
- ↑ Word Press; https://culzeancastleandcountrypark.wordpress.com
- ↑ Historic Environment; historicenvironment.scot
- ↑ Britain Magazine; https://www.britain-magazine.com
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Britannica; https://www.britannica.com
- ↑ Geni; https://www.geni.com
- ↑ Wikitree; https://www.wikitree.com/
- ↑ My family tree; https://www.myfamilytree.scot
- ↑ Family Search; https://www.familysearch.org
- ↑ The Scotsman; https://www.scotsman.com
- ↑ National Trust for Scotland; https://www.nts.org.uk
- ↑ Academic Dictionary; https://en-academic.com
- ↑ Nomad Woman; http://www.nomadwomen.com
- ↑ National Trust for Scotland; https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culzean/highlights/a-castle-stay
- #OnePlaceWednesday showcase: Culzean Castle Jan 3, 2024.
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