Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 2 on 5/6/2002.

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Jewel in the crown - Culzean Castle

One of Robert Adam's finest creations, Culzean is a historic monument with much more up its sleeve than a pretty face and nice gardens

Magnificent and spectacular, the great castle of Culzean presides in clifftop majesty over the waters of the Firth of Clyde on the south-west coast of Scotland. Built in the late 18th century by the architect Robert Adam for the 10th Earl of Cassilis, this most splendid of Scottish dwellings occupies the site of an ancient fortified house dating from the 15th century. Adam’s achievement was to transform what was, in effect, only a strategically placed mediaeval stronghold into a palace to symbolise the triumphant achievements of the Kennedies of Carrick.

The Kennedies appeared in the Carrick region of Ayrshire as early as the 13th century, descendants of a chief from the Western Isles during the reign of King Malcolm II of Scotland. In 1263, for supporting King Alexander III against the Viking invasion fleet at the Battle of Largs, they were granted the castle and lands of Dunure, south west of Ayr. Following this, it was not long before they established themselves as the most powerful family in the south-west of Scotland.

In a much later generation, one of their number, James of Dunure, married Princess Mary, daughter of King Robert III and widow of the first Earl of Angus, and in 1475, their son, a great influence at the Court, was created Lord Kennedy. The youngest of his sons became a renowned poet, and his grand-daughter Janet became the mistress of King James IV.
The Kennedies continued to be loyal to the Royal House of Stewart and in 1509, the third Lord Kennedy w.....

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By Charles Douglas

Section : Historic Houses

Page number : 16