Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Further along the harbour road, make sure to drop into the wonderful
Ship Inn
(
www.shipinnirvine.co.uk
; 120
Harbour St; mains £7-9)
It's the oldest pub in Irvine (1597), serves tasty bar meals (noon to 9pm) and has bucket-
loads of character.
Irvine is 26 miles from Glasgow. There are frequent buses from Ayr (30 minutes) and Largs (45 minutes). Trains
run to/from Glasgow Central station (£6.50, 35 minutes, half-hourly); the other way they go to Ayr (£3.70, 20
minutes, half-hourly).
CULZEAN CASTLE
The Scottish National Trust's flagship property, 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)
(pronounced kull-
ane
) is one of the most impressive of Scotland's great stately homes.
The entrance is a converted viaduct, and on approach the castle appears like a mirage,
floating into view. Designed by Robert Adam, who was encouraged to exercise his ro-
mantic genius in its design, this 18th-century mansion is perched dramatically on the edge
of the cliffs. Adam was the most influential architect of his time, renowned for his meticu-
lous attention to detail and the elegant classical embellishments with which he decorated
his ceilings and fireplaces.
The beautiful oval staircase here is regarded as one of his 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.
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.
There's also a
Camping & Caravanning Club
(
01655-760627;
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
;
sites members/non-members £9.35/16.45; )
at the entrance to the park, offering grassy pitches with great views.
Getting There & Away
Culzean is 12 miles south of Ayr; buses from there (30 minutes, 11 daily Monday to
Saturday) pass the park gates, from where it's a 20-minute walk through the grounds to
the castle.
