Bed and breakfast, and dinner
THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND
Culzean Castle
Ayrshire
Scotland
The Eisenhower
- This Page: Culzean and President Eisenhower
- Accommodation at The Eisenhower
- Weddings, conferences, functions
- Robert Adam and Culzean Castle
- Interior photographs of Culzean Castle
- Location map
A chance to stay in a clifftop Scottish Castle about 50 miles south of Glasgow.
Robert Adam's last great masterpiece
Like a storybook castle, this fantastic example of Robert Adam's genius stands dramatically on a cliff with superb views across the sea to the mountains of the Island of Arran.
Between 1777 and 1792 Adam converted an old fortified towercastle for David Kennedy, the 10th Earl of Cassillis, creating at Culzean (pronounced "Cullane") probably the finest Georgian castle in Scotland. Its Circular Saloon and Oval Staircase are acknowledged as Adam's final masterpiece.
The castle, beautifully preserved with its original Georgian decoration, is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is open to the public.
The Castle and President Eisenhower
In 1945 the 5th Marquis of Ailsa gave Culzean Castle to the NTS, Scotland's leading conservation charity.
The Marquis requested that the top floor of the Castle be converted into a self-contained apartment and offered to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, for his lifetime tenancy, as a gesture of thanks from the people of Scotland, for his part in commanding Scottish Troops in the Battle of Europe. General Eisenhower took up residence at Culzean for the first time in the autumn of 1946, flying into Prestwick Airport on 1st October.
His longest stay was during his retirement when he enjoyed painting and walking in the peace and quiet of Culzean's beautiful gardens, woodland and shore, as well as playing golf nearby.
General Eisenhower was accompanied on this occasion by Mrs Eisenhower, their son John D Eisenhower and Mrs Eisenhower's Mother Mrs John Sheldon Doud. 'Ike' visited a further three times, once during his second term as President of the United States, when Culzean became his Scottish 'White house'.
He wrote of Culzean, "This is a place I can relax."
Staying at The Eisenhower
Today, Ike's Scottish holiday retreat provides exclusive accommodation for visitors in 6 bedrooms.
There is a charming round sitting room (pictured above right) with one of the most spectacular sea views in Scotland, and an elegant dining room (right).
The Eisenhower is self contained on the top floor of the castle and can be reached by stairs or lift/elevator.
The rooms are arranged around Adam's magnificent central Oval Staircase (below).
See: Accommodation at The Eisenhower
- This Page: Culzean and President Eisenhower
- Accommodation at The Eisenhower
- Weddings, conferences, functions
- Robert Adam and Culzean Castle
- Interior photographs of Culzean Castle
- Location map
Photographs © National Trust for Scotland and John Boyd-Brent.