Culzean Castle

📌 Maidens, South Ayrshire
★★★★★

For sheer variety, Culzean (pronounced cull-ane) surely tops Scotland’s long list of castles – and it’s probably also the National Trust for Scotland’s flagship property. Home to the Earls of Cassilis until the 1940s, the 18th century castle’s magnificent design has few peers, neither inside nor out, with Robert Adams the architect. This is all enhanced by a stunning clifftop location, perhaps unrivalled by any other Ayrshire mansion. The castle tour is impressive, with the large price tag on admission justified by including access to the extraordinary grounds, now known as Culzean Country Park. We cover these separately.