Culzean Castle is a romantic castle created by Robert Adam in 1772-1790 for the 10th Earl of Cassillis, head of the Kennedy clan.

Early History

The origins of Culzean Castle (which is pronounced cull-ane) date back to the late 1300s. There was a stone tower house known by the 1600s as Cullean Castle. During this period, the gardens and terraces were added but little else was done as the family only lived at the castle for part of the year.

In 1569 the castle and the surrounding lands were given to Sir Thomas Kennedy by his brother, the 4th Earl of Cassilis. The Kennedy’s had supported Robert the Bruce in the Scottish Wars of Independence. Sir Thomas enlarged and improved the existing house.

In 1742 Culzean Castle was inherited by Sir Thomas Kennedy. In 1762, after a three year legal battle with a rival claimant to the title, Sir Thomas also inherited the Earldom of Cassalis. For the first time in nearly 200 years, both the earldom and the castle were in the same hands.

Sir Thomas began to modernise the tower house. But it was his son, David Kennedy, the 10th Earl of Cassalis, who was responsible for most of what you see today.

Robert Adam

In 1762 Sir Thomas Kennedy, the 9th Earl, decided to rebuild the castle. But after Sir Thomas died without issue, his brother David chose a much more ambitious plan. He commissioned the architect Robert Adam who spent 15 years overseeing the transformation of Culzean. Adam added a kitchen block, a three-storey wing with later brewhouse, milkhouse and bedrooms at one end.

Adam pulled down the wing built by the 9th Earl and replaced it with a drum tower with turrets right on the edge of the cliffs.

However neither David, the 10th Earl of Cassillis nor Adam lived to see the result as both died in 1792. On his death, he left Culzean to a distant cousin, Archibald Kennedy of New York.

The American Connection

In the early 18th century, Archibald Kennedy, a cousin of the Earl of Cassillis, became receiver general of customs in New York.

His son, also named Archibald, was born in America, and became a naval sea captain. He made his fortune seizing ships for prize money during the Seven Years War, and later commanded transport ships in the American War of Independence. It was this Archibald who became 11th Earl of Cassillis. He lived at 1 Broadway in New York.

On inheriting the title and castle from his father, the 12th Earl returned to Britain. In 1806, he was created Baron Ailsa, was admitted a Fellow of the Royal Society and later became the Marquess of Ailsa of the Isle of Ailsa. He married Margaret Erskine in 1793 and together they had six children. When he died in 1846, he left the equivalent in today’s money of £9 million.

Archibald’s grandson, the 3rd Marquess of Ailsa, was a keen yachtsman. He also developed the golf course and hotel at Turnberry.

After the 3rd Marquess died in 1938, the family spent much less time at Culzean. In 1945 the widow of the 4th Marquess gave the castle and grounds to the National Trust for Scotland. She remained living in the west wing of the castle for the rest of the life. The top floor of the castle was converted into a flat and offered to General Eisenhower to thank him for his role in World War II. Eisenhower visited Culzean only four times – once while President.

The Interior

The Armoury Hall is decorated with flintlock firearms and swords. It’s one of the finest collections in the world.

At the house’s centre, Adam designed an oval staircase supported by Ionic and Corinthian columns. This led to the fabulous round Drawing Room with windows overlooking the Clyde.

Fountain Court

Below the castle is a terraced lawn with a central fountain. At one end of the terrace is the orangery while the other leads to a viaduct which links the castle to a ruined arch. This is now the main entrance to the site.

Walled Garden

The Walled Garden was built in 18th century and is nearly a mile from the castle. But it’s worth the walk. Alternatively, you can drive here. It’s divided in two – one the pleasure garden while the other is the kitchen garden.

Swan Pond

The Swan Pond is an ornamental lake surrounded by woodland. It was originally designed by Thomas White for the 10th Earl of Cassillis. It was enlarged at the beginning of the 19th century. 

The Pagoda, often called the ‘Monkey Pagoda,’ is a 19th century folly built around 1820. It has an upper room for the family to have tea while the lower level historically housed exotic birds, racoons and a monkey