Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Detour:
Culzean Castle
Magnificent
Culzean Castle
(NTS; 01655-884400;
www.culzeanexperience.org
;
adult/child/family
£15/11/36, park only adult/child £9.50/7; castle 10.30am-5pm Apr-Oct, park 9.30am-sunset year-
round)
is one of the most impressive of Scotland's great stately homes. Designed by Robert Adam, the most influ-
ential architect of his time, this 18th-century mansion is perched dramatically on the edge of the cliffs.
The beautiful oval staircase here is regarded as one of Adam's finest achievements. On the 1st floor, the opulence
of the circular saloon contrasts violently with the views of the wild sea below. Lord Cassillis' bedroom is said to be
haunted by a lady in green, mourning for a lost baby. Even the bathrooms are palatial, the dressing room beside the
state bedroom being equipped with a Victorian state-of-the-art shower.
There are also two ice houses, a swan pond, a pagoda, a re-creation of a Victorian vinery, an orangery, a deer park
and an aviary. Wildlife in the area includes otters.
If you really want to experience the magic of this place, it's possible to stay in the
castle
(s/d from £140/225,
Eisenhower ste s/d £250/375; )
from April to October.
Culzean is 49 miles south of Glasgow; Maybole is the nearest train station, but since it's 4 miles away it's best to
come by bus from Ayr (30 minutes, 11 daily, Monday to Saturday); there are frequent trains from Glasgow to Ayr.
Buses pass the park gates, from where it's a 20-minute walk through the grounds to the castle.
Eastern Shore
The road along the loch's eastern shore passes through the attractive village of
Balmaha
,
where you can hire boats or take a cruise on the mailboat. A short but steep climb from
the village car park leads to the summit of
Conic Hill
(361m), a superb viewpoint (2.5
miles round trip, allow two to three hours).
There are several picnic areas along the lochside; the most attractive is at
Millarochy
Bay
(1.5 miles north of Balmaha), which has a nice gravel beach and superb views across
the loch to the Luss hills.
The road ends at
Rowardennan
, but the West Highland Way (
Click here
)
hiking trail
continues north along the shore of the loch. It's 7 miles to
Inversnaid
, which can be
reached by road from the Trossachs, and 15 miles to
Inverarnan
on the main A82 road at
the northern end of the loch.
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