Five stars for Culzean

The National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle and Country Park is celebrating success as a top-quality visitor attraction today.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Culzean Castle and Country Park is celebrating success as a top-quality visitor attraction today.

The dramatic cliffside castle, which is widely regarded as Robert Adam’s greatest masterpiece, and its extensive country park have been confirmed again as a five star tourist attraction by Visit Scotland.

Culzean was first awarded the five star rating in 2005 and has undergone assessments every two years since then. The latest evaluation took place in May 2009.

The property has already welcomed more than 60,000 visitors since March this year.

Culzean Castle and Country Park is one of Ayrshire’s most popular visitor attractions. The castle boasts stunning interiors, including the impressive Oval Staircase and Round Drawing Room, and a fine collection of furniture and artworks and brings the grandeur of the Georgian period to life for visitors. It is also home to a wonderful Armoury display, complete with flintlock pistols and swords, which is the second largest collection of its type in existence.

The wider country park has over 20 miles of paths and tracks, guiding visitors through the wonderful woodland, designed landscapes and gardens, to the Deer Park, the Swan pond and 5 kilometres of coastline with fascinating rock pools and clean bathing beaches. In addition, the park has its own award-winning ranger service which runs an exciting and varied programme of events for visitors throughout the summer.

The property is one of a handful of Scottish castles to attain the coveted five star award.

Property Manager Paul Pomfret said:

“Culzean Castle and Country Park is a fantastic destination for visitors from near and far and we are pleased to have that confirmed again by Visit Scotland. We are lucky to care for some of the most wonderful interiors, artworks, gardens and woodlands in Scotland and we know that visitors get a great deal out of trip here.

“The dedicated team of staff and volunteers work very hard to ensure that our visitors have the best possible experience and it is great to have that recognised.”

Culzean Castle and Country Park is hosting Celebrate Ayrshire on Sunday 14 June. In keeping with the Burns theme of the Homecoming year, visitors will have the chance to meet Ayrshire poet, Robert Burns in the flesh as he mingles with the crowd and shares some stanzas of his best known works.

More contemporary poetry will be provided by the talented Makar Press Poets, who will offer lively recitals of their latest pieces.

Another theme of the day, again with a Burns connection, is farming. Milking displays featuring an Ayrshire cow, Ayrshire tractors and Ayrshire produce will all feature in this fantastic family day out.

Celebrate Ayrshire takes place at Culzean Castle and Country Park on Sunday 14 June, from 11.00 until 16.00.

Some other event highlights include:

· Vintage Military vehicles, the land army and Robbie the Clydesdale horse

· Robert Watson M.A. B.D. (historian and writer) will be giving a talk on the Scottish Covenanters and playing his short film on the subject.

· Local food on sale including delicious Ayrshire Farmhouse Ice-cream

· Ayrshire artists demonstrating

· Live music from the Maybole Pipe Band and Johnstone Silver Band

· Come and Try Archery with the British Longbow Society