Culzean Castle

 Exams are over!!

That means the boyf is back in my life! He had six exams in three weeks. Needless to say we didn't see much of each other! But boy are we making up for it! 

I found another online class, so my trip will not be shortened! That means we have a little over one month to do the following things:

1. Visit a castle (DONE!)

2. Go to BrewDog (a place with cool beer)

3. Go snowboarding

4. Play tennis

5. Climb another hill (God help me)

Yesterday, we went to Culzean Castle (pronounced Cullen Castle...yes, like the vampires from Twilight). The castle was once home to the Marquess of Ailsa, the Kennedy family. The Kennedy's, listed as one of Scotland's oldest clans, were all Lords and Earls and had the "home" built in 1777 (lucky year?).

Here are some pictures of our trip to ze castle:

This was Ian's first road trip as a driver. He did a great job!

Culzean Castle is situated on the top of a cliff overlooking the sea. 

South Ayrshire Coast

The circular rooms provided panoramic views of the sea

The wall overlooking the gardens

The sea!

At Buckingham Palace, we got this shot on the very first try! Unfortunately it was not working for us on the coast!

              

   

  

Too late 

Too soon

Hair in the face

This is the best we could do!

We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the castle, but it was just as exquisite as the outside...very Downton Abbeyish. I loved that the family members had not only a bedroom but dressing quarters, too. Each room had a view that was to die for! 

There is an American connection to Culzean Castle. It actually has an Eisenhower Apartment that you can rent. Apparently, in 1945, the Kennedy family created a special guest flat on the top floor of the castle as a "thank you" for America's support during WWII. Eisenhower and members of his family have stayed there frequently. Such a small world! 

I would think twice about staying in the suite because apparently Culzean Castle is haunted. There are many ghosts including a piper, who plays on the castle grounds, a woman in a ball gown, a member of the Kennedy family who walks up the oval staircase, and a knight who apparently pushed his wife off the cliffs. I am happy to report that we did not come across any spirits.