This time last week, we were up in Scotland visiting Culzean Castle in Ayrshire. Now school has started, it feels like it could have been months ago, but it really was last week.
The castle and country park are owned by the National Trust for Scotland. As National Trust members, we were able to go in free. I’ve got to say that of all the properties I’ve been to, this one is worth the subscription alone. If we lived locally, it would be a perfect pop-in-when-we-have-a-moment venue.
To start with they have a fabulous adventure park. We don’t go to play parks very often. The children loved this one. There are two sides to it. One, which I forgot to photograph. I suspect it is aimed at the younger age range although my three loved the zip wire.
The other side gave them space to run and explore. There was plenty to fire their imagination. It is a big area so they were constantly on the move (and difficult to photograph).
Although Eldest did manage to capture the other two at one stage. Oh, to be the eldest.
We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves as most schools had gone back. Even on a more crowded day, I think they would have found it fun. I had to bribe encourage them to move on to the rest of the grounds. They would have stayed considerably longer.
We headed up to the Pagoda next. Where the exotic animals were once kept. There was an amazing bat experience. No bats but we did walk through pitch black tunnels to tiny viewing points. More fun than educational although the point may well have been lost on me.
Next down to the smugglers cove. A perfect cove for smuggling, if I ever did see one. I’m sure there were caves hidden in the cliffs, covered by the undergrowth. If the odd cask or two of brandy have not been smuggled into this bay, in years gone by, then I’m a monkey’s uncle (and none of my nieces or nephews want that).
We had the cove to ourselves. It will always amaze me how quickly the children busy themselves as soon as they hit a beach. Writing messages in the sand. Exploring rock pools. Daring the waves.
We noticed plenty of jelly fishes washed up on the beaches we visited this holiday. This beach was no exception.
There are oodles of walks to do in the country park. We headed off to the cliff top walk and dropped down to the swan pond.
Next, we explored the castle’s walled garden. I love walled gardens and took lots of photos for inspiration. My garden notes are expanding fast.
They had an interesting way of adding in wild and cutting flowers, in narrow beds. Looked tidier than our wild garden. Might try the approach next year.
By this stage in our walk, waterproofs were required. My husband had valiantly carried them around in his rucksack, all week. Up mountains and along beaches. We had so little rain during our week in Scotland. I think this was the only moment we had to pull them out of the bag. Thinking about it, he did extract the coats with remarkable speed.
In the walled garden, the flower beds were full of colour and quite a sight. Also the kitchen garden. I’m unable to resist the lure of kitchen gardens. Part of this one was chained off, but there was still plenty to view.
And the castle?
Almost forgot.
Yes, it was impressive. I especially liked the outside.
To be honest, I only saw the outside. I sat outside, as we had the dogs with us, while the rest went inside.
I read a book about scottish hauntings, which I’d picked up from the castle’s second hand book shop (worth a visit in it’s own right), while holding the dogs and being eaten by midges.
The rest of the family enjoyed the castle. They even spotted a photo of a dog like ours.
The people at the castle door kindly let the dogs and me shelter in the door way when the heavens opened, so I did glimpse a bit of the inside. Maybe next time.
We could have happily spent more time at the castle and park. There is so much to see, that I’m not sure it can be done in one day.
Oh that looks like quite the place to visit… what an adventure!!! I love the idea of a smuggler’s beach… intriguing much!!! And your dogs are the best… I just love them again and again!!!
I think the dogs enjoyed being on holiday as much as we did. Time with the pack. It was the most perfect smuggler’s beach.
What an amazing place. That adventure playground looks like every child’s dream, and how great to be able to have it to themselves?! I love the look of Smuggler’s Cove. We noticed a lot of jellyfish a few weeks back in North Wales – I wonder why there seems to be so many at the moment.
#countrykids
Watching the children run and play around the play park was wonderful. They were just enjoying playing. I wondered if it is the time of year to see jellyfish on the beach. Not familiar with area, so maybe its the same each year. The cove is lovely. Imagine a pirates birthday party there……
What a fab castle to be able to explore, it really does look like there’s so much to see and do! Those gardens look wonderful, I’ve always loved seeing wildflowers integrated into formal gardens. That play area is amazing, I bet the kids were having a wondeful time exploring the play castle. Smuggler’s Cove looks so similar to some of the famous smuggling beaches here that if you hadn’t told me it was in Scotland I never would’ve guessed!
Thanks for sharing with me on #CountryKids
They had so much fun in the play park. I loved that it was all natural materials and looked like the backdrop to a play. The cove reminded me of Cornwall too. In fact a lot of the beaches in the area did.
What an incredible place to explore- you need more than a day, I think. The beach alone looks amazing and what a fantastic play area. The National Trust seems to make the properties so family friendly. #countrykids
They certainly seem to have good areas for children to play and use their imagination. Wish we lived closer to this one.
That sounds like a lovely day out, especially the play area. I also love the NT for fab, family days out. #CountryKids
It was a fun day.
Sounds like you had an amazing day there – and a great week. We haven’t visited Scotland yet but my boys love play parks and that one definitely looks right up their street.
It’s nice to find a play area that suits the older children too. It was a lovely day.
Oh wow, this looks amazing. I love that top picture, superb framing. I’d love to go but we have no plans to visit Scotland sadly. Mich x #CountryKids
Thanks Mich. It is an amazing place to visit.
What an amazing place to explore. That adventure park is amazing. Would love to visit Scotland at some point with my son #CountryKids
I love Scotland, so really pleased that we have finally made it up there with the children.
This looks like one to visit, what an amazing place. I love the Smugglers’ Cove, and it must have been so nice having it to yourself. The playground looks amazing too, very similar to Leeds Castle’s playground. Though if my children spotted it at the entrance we wouldn’t have gone any further – things like this need to be at the end, for bribery purposes! #CountryKids
Now Leeds would be slightly closer to us, but still too far. I think you are right to time a playpark for the end of a visit. Good strategy. 🙂
Oh my days it looks simply beautiful here. I love everything about this place! I would really like to visit here one day.xx #Countrykids
It is a fabulous estate. Well worth visiting.
It looks impressive with plenty to see. The beach looks gorgeous, and wow, that is some (massive!) adventure playground. I think I’d have needed bribes to get N of it. #countrykids
Certainly was a wonderful place to visit.
Oh that looks like the most fantastic playground mixed in with fabulous surroundings. Would love to visit! #countrykids
The whole estate is worth a visit.
Wow how awesome! That playpark is epic! Amazing design and just so well thought of. Everything there is so pretty. I agree that with just that site NT membership is so worth it! #countrykids
I can quite imagine the plan on paper, when it was being designed. What a project to be involved with.
What a wonderful place. It looks stunning and the play park looks fantastic, I think my kids could play there all day. #CountryKids
I’m sure some families probably don’t make it any further. At least its a good excuse to go again.
oh wow!! what a wonderful adventure! so much to see and do!
Really couldn’t do it in a day.
My 9yo was looking over my shoulder as I was reading this post and said “Wow! That play area is well epic!” He now wants us to take a trip to Scotland 🙂 I have to agree with him though. It looks amazing, in fact the whole place looks incredible.I wish it wasn’t so far away.
#countrykids
I like your son’s reaction. They have plans to make the adventure park even bigger. I wish it wasn’t so far away, but we do have plans to return to that part of the country soon.
First, the park looked amazing! Eeeew jellyfish, I’ve never been a fan washed up or not! Well done on your hubby carrying the waterproofs all week. The castle looks impressive it really does. Shame you didn’t get to go on in but you probably enjoyed the peace with the dogs #countrykids
The park is amazing. We did a project on jellyfish last year, so it was fascinating to see them on the beach. Ha! Yes I thought it would be quiet and I’d read my book. The midges were distracting. Also lovely people wanted to talk to the dogs and take their photos by the castle! I think I read about 2 pages.
What an amazing castle, so much to explore. The adventure playground is every child’s dream isn’t I?! And the walled garden looks divine, I could get lost in there for many hours #countrykids
I agree. Walled gardens should never be rushed.
What a fabulous place to visit. That adventure playground looks amazing – my girls would be in seventh heaven somewhere like that. Love how your Eldest captured the other two! Looks like the beach was fun as well and those gardens are stunning. Shame about the rain though but at least you didn’t have too much of it. #countrykids
The rain was only passing. Yes, the children all had fun in the park. We all enjoyed our visit.
National Trust properties are all different but all so amazing and this one fantastic. That’s probably the best adventure playground I’ve seen, I’m sure my kids would love it too!
The NT Membership is so worth its weight in gold when you see places like Culzean Castle.
I’m sure it must be a very popular park. Lovely to find.
Oh wow, that’s so impressive! I love the scenery, the castle, the history and that adventure park!
There is so much to see and do. A fun day.
We adore places like this and that playground looks amazing x #countrykids
It was amazing and they have plans to make it even bigger.