Culzean Castle and Country Park is the Trust's most visited property and one of the major tourist attractions in Scotland. The range of interests and activities at Culzean provides a perfect day out for the family. Robert Adam's castle, built 1772-1790 for David, 10th Earl of Cassillis on a cliff-top site associated with the Kennedy family since the late 14th century, is notable for the Oval Staircase and Circular Saloon. The castle contains a good collection of pictures and 18th-century furniture, together with an armoury, set up in the 19th century. There is an Eisenhower Room recalling the President's links with Scotland. Scotland's first Country Park, created in 1969 and consisting of 228 ha (563 a), contains a wealth of interest from shoreline through the Deer Park, Gas Court, Fountain Court and Swan Pond with exhibition, to mature parklands and gardens. The Ruined Arch, Viaduct, Ice House, beautiful Camellia House and unique Pagoda have all been restored. Vinery and walled garden. New exhibition in Visitor Centre on the history of the castle and estate and the Trust's conservation work over the last 50 years. Environmental education service and interpretive programme. Exclusive accommodation is available in The Eisenhower Apartment
LOCATION: 12 m S of Ayr, on A719, 4m W of Maybole, off A77, 4m from National Cycle Route 7.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Bus hourly service Ayr-Girvan via Maidens passes main entrance: tel (0141) 332 7133.
OPENING TIMES: Castle, Visitor Centre, restaurants and shops, 25 Mar to 27 Oct, daily 10-5; 2 Nov to 22 Dec, Sat/Sun 10-4. Visitor facilities (not castle) also open 20 Jan to 24 Mar, Sat/Sun 10-4. Country Park, all year, daily 9.30-sunset.
ADMISSION PRICES: combined ticket (£9, concession £6.50, adult group £7, family £22). Adult £4.50, concession £3.50, adult group £4, child group/school group £1, family £12.50.
GROUPS: Please book in advance
VISITOR FACILITIES: Main licensed restaurant in Visitor Centre, open 10.30-5.30; Old Stables restaurant also licensed; two further snack bars in the Country Park offering refreshments and ice cream; three new shops now open Country Park Shop with gifts for every age group, Plant Centre Shop, and Home Farm Shop with a fine range of Scottish food and drink; adventure playground; information translations in French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese and Spanish
VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES: Parking: several car parks throughout the park. Disabled visitors may be dropped at main door to castle. Disabled drivers may park at castle.
Wheelchairs: wheelchairs and batricars available at castle, Visitor Centre and kiosk (batricars should be booked in advance). Child's wheelchair available at Visitor Centre.
Access: all rooms in castle on display accessible by wheelchair (lift to first floor). Ground floor only at Centre accessible: lift will be available for 2000 season.
Lavatories: special facilities at Visitor Centre, Castle, Kiosk, Swan Pond and Castle Education Rooms.
Refreshments: easy access to self-service licensed restaurant at Visitor Centre. Waitress service lecensed restaurant at the Old Stables accessible to wheelchairs but a slope must be negotiated.
Shops: easy access to Castle shop in the Clocktower area, and to shops in Visitor Centre and New Stables.
Interpretation: induction loop for hard-of-hearing in Visitor Centre auditorium. Basic language audio tape tour of Country Park available at Visitor Centre - of particular use to visitors with learning difficulties or hearing problems, through the 'T' setting on a hearing aid. Braille guidebook to Castle, Braille guide to Country Park and Braille walks leaflet. Tactile model of Castle with sections demonstrating evolution of the architecture. Tactile model of Country Park with different surfaces indicating habitats.
Gardens: firm gravel and grass paths with ramps in walled garden. Acess to Fountain Court Garden via a graded path down side of Viaduct.Disabled people may be dropped off below Viaduct for easy access.
Woodland: partially accessible by wheelchair along main paths; rather uneven surface in places. Access by ramp to hide at Swan Pond. Tapping rails area installed on some paths.
Notes: any organised group of disabled people may book a ranger for a guided walk in the Country Park or a guide for a tour of the Castle.