Culzean Castle Caves & Comfort

Perched on an Ayrshire clifftop, Culzean Castle is no ordinary mansion. On the surface, everything looks luxuriously comfortable with palm trees in the garden and expensive paintings on the walls. What many visitors don’t realise is that below their feet, lie the dark and mysterious Culzean Castle caves.

This popular west coast tourist attraction is the Jekyll and Hyde of Scottish Castles. Both aspects are interesting enough in their own right, but to admire one without investigating the other would be an injustice. First we’re going to look at the display of comfortable elegance above ground. Then we’re going to descend to the Culzean Castle caves below and investigate the legends they hold.

Culzean Castle History

The first thing you might need to know before visiting is how to say the castle’s name. Rather than a long, linguistic explanation, to keep things short, “Culzean” is pronounced Cullane.

The history of Culzean Castle starts with a simple 14th century tower owned by the Kennedy Family. Clan Kennedy were one of the most powerful groups in southwest Scotland, stretching right across Ayrshire and down to Galloway. By the 16th century, the clan chief had become the Earl of Casillis and was so powerful, he was known as the King of Carrick.

Back then, Culzean was known as the Castle of Co and lived in by a minor branch of the family. These Kennedys only stayed for a small part of the year which left the castle here unloved and unchanged. In the 18th century, Culzean Castle came back under control of the main Kennedy line. Strong, defensive buildings weren’t so important anymore and spectacular views were now in fashion.

The Earl of Casillis built this luxurious mansion around the old tower, absorbing its thick walls completely. Culzean Castle was specifically designed to show off his wealth and status through the modern mansion and sprawling parkland. Walking around inside, you would hardly notice the older castle if not for some slightly thicker walls.

Inside Culzean Castle

The Earl had achieved his goal of a castle fit for the King of Carrick. Inside, Culzean Castle is opulent and lavish with the focus more on impressing guests than practical living. The first sight you are met with is the second largest display of armoury in the UK. The Queen herself is the only person who can top this many swords and pistols. They were all purchased for a good price as leftover stock, old and useless to the British army.

The round drawing room takes advantage of the castle’s clifftop location with a spectacular view out over the water. My personal favourite feature is the sweeping, oval staircase. It was one of the last parts of Culzean Castle to be built and with the cliffs so close, space was at a premium. This oval design made the best use of the area available, creating a beautiful feature at the same time.

The American Connection

Unfortunately, the Kennedy heirs couldn’t maintain this vast estate. In 1945, Culzean Castle was handed over to the National Trust for Scotland with one special condition.

The NTS could open the whole castle to the public, except the top floor. That was gifted to the American General Dwight D Eisenhower. The Kennedy family wanted to thank him, from all the Scottish people, for his contribution as supreme commander of the Allied forces during WW2.

Eisenhower visited four times in his life, including once while President of the United States. Culzean Castle became known as the Scottish White House during his stay. This holiday home gave him peace and quiet to relax on the Ayrshire coast.

If you want to live like a President, then you can actually rent the Eisenhower and its 6 bedrooms. Just remember that somewhere below your bed are the Culzean Castle caves.

Culzean Castle Caves

Now for the stories!

This area of coastline is peppered with caves. Some are barely a dent in the cliff while others reach deep enough to have the bravest of adventurers nervously checking the dark corners. Any historic home built right on top of a cave complex is going to be intriguing. It’s only natural that legends grew around the Culzean Castle caves.

A common story, shared with other castles around Scotland, relates to a phantom bagpiper. In an attempt to see where a tunnel or cave truly leads, the piper decides to walk in playing a tune so his friends can hear that he’s safe. The tale around Culzean has a similar ending as the others. The sound of the piper is abruptly cut off and he is never seen again. Sometimes, on dark and stormy nights, the sound of his pipes can still be heard drifting up to the castle.

Fortunately, the Culzean Castle caves have one very specific story that no other area seems to share. This legend comes from long before Culzean was the grand mansion it is now. Back when it was nothing but a simple tower, the Kennedy Laird of Co had an unusual encounter.

The Laird of Co

One day, the Laird of Co was wandering the castle grounds when a small boy approached him. His mother was sick and the boy had been sent to find her just a little bit of ale. The Laird was a kind man and immediately sent the boy to his chief servant to fill up a mug.

The servant wasn’t happy, but he took the lad to the storeroom and proceeded to fill the mug. Ale flowed and flowed from the opened cask until it was dry, but the mug still wasn’t full. The servant knew magic when he saw it and refused to open another barrel. He was well aware that fairies lived down below in the Culzean Castle caves.

The boy protested. He had been promised a full mug and it clearly wasn’t full yet! The Laird arrived to see what the commotion was and he agreed with the boy. He was a man of his word and even if it took all of the ale in the castle, the boy was going to leave satisfied. In the end, a single drop from the next cask and the mug was suddenly full.

Years later, the Laird had been captured while fighting a war on the continent. He was held in a dark, dank dungeon and due to be executed the next day. His mind wandered back to his home, the castle and those peculiar caves. Suddenly, the door to his cell swung open.

The small boy walked in and he hadn’t aged a day. He commanded, “Laird of Co’, rise and go” and gestured for him to climb on his back. In minutes, the fairy boy had flown the Laird back home to Culzean Castle.

The astounded Laird asked the boy why he had come all that way to his rescue? The fairy replied that one good turn deserves another and the Laird had been kind enough to help him and his poor old mother.

Visiting Culzean Castle

Visiting Culzean Castle is more than just touring a fancy, old house with a nice garden. This is an entire country park with miles of walking routes, a woodland play park, a herd of deer, a farmshop, bookshop and more. Currently there is even a trail of incredible willow sculptures by David Powell to hunt out based on Scotland’s Year of Coasts & Waters.

Add in the Culzean Castle caves and you have more than enough for a full day out here. There are plenty of small caves along the beach that are open for exploration. Unfortunately, the caverns directly below the castle are locked for now. There are usually tours available during the summer months but Covid has put them on hold this year.

Culzean Castle is open from March until the end of October but the Country Park is open all year round. National Trust for Scotland members get in free otherwise it is £18.50 per adult for the Castle & Park or £13 for just the country park. Full prices and opening times are available by clicking here.

If you’re looking for a less crowded place to visit then try the Least Visited Scottish Castles instead!

Share the story using the links below!

Please leave this field empty

Want To See More of Scotland?

Sign up to get blog updates!
No spam. Ever.

Email Address *

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.