CULZEAN CASTLE & EDINBURGH

Just to maintain the consistency this is, once again, a fairly late post! Of course, we do have a good excuse as well as the usual (too busy with work, not enough hours in the day, cosmic radiation, etc, etc..) as we have been putting together a couple more trips for the near future. But more about them later.
This brief instalment covers our excursion to the Ayrshire Coast southwest of Glasgow, about 6 weeks back, to visit the amazing Culzean (pronounced 'Culllane') Castle & Country Park. Although the weather wasn't epic it was actually quite warm (of course we have acclimatised a little these past 12 months!) and we spent the day cruising around the castle (no interior photos allowed unfortunately) and the amazing parks and gardens that surround it.
Also in this instalment is a day trip to Edinburgh with Mel & Drew, as they neared the end of their European sojourn, to check out both some familiar and some new sights. The weather this day was a lot better. Hope you enjoy!..

The entrance to the Culzean Castle visitor centre..

Our first view of the castle, perched high on the cliffs..

Although the castle does sit on top of the cliffs just north and south are some beautiful little coves. This is the view from the 'Gas House' - the small building where coal gas was produced to light the castle interior..

Near the main entrance to the castle is a viewing platform giving amazing views to Northern Ireland, Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran on a clear day. This day however, was not so clear. Hence this sepia view, looking southwest from our picnic spot..

Looking across the entrance forecourt to the clocktower..

The castle itself. An amazing building that is more stately home than fortress. Although the first accounts of a 'tower house' being constructed on the site date from the 1400's it was comprehensively redesigned by Robert Adam in the 18th Century. During his tenure here he was encouraged to utilise his 'romantic genius' in his design..

The fountain court..

The clifftop battery. Although the mansion was never the site of a siege or invasion the past 600 years have been somewhat turbulent in this part of the world, and life in the area hasn't always been quite as 'settled' as it is now..

After leaving the castle we headed south, along the clifftop path that meanders through the woods..

This is the Swan Pond - by far the largest 'pond' we've ever seen!..

Further inland is the walled garden, an impressive collection of formal gardens, orchards, vegetable gardens and greenhouses. This is the reproduction Victorian-era vineyard, growing sweet, dessert style grapes on hanging vines..

and pumpkins! Lotsa pumpkins..

After walking full circle through the gardens we came to the main gate of the castle which provides an amazing view of the castle itself..

It's the flagship NTS (National Trust of Scotland) property and it's easy to see why from this angle..

It seems to 'float' when viewed from the main entrance and driveway, built on a converted viaduct..

Back at the visitor centre, just before leaving, Carly was stood on by a small pirate..

A few weeks later this spectacular view was visible from the balcony, so Evan took a photo of it. It really has no relevance to this post other than it ocurring between our visit to Culzean and Mel & Drew's visit, but it's a nice photo with the car tailights merging into the setting sun, so it deserves a run here!..

With Mel & Drew in town we decided to spend a day in Edinburgh checking out the sights and doing a little weapons shopping. Here's Carly, checking out a pre-aerosol mace in the Edinburgh Castle 'souvenir' shop..

From the top of the Royal Mile we wandered down to the Palace of Holyrood House at the bottom. This is Carly and Mel, probably wondering where Drew is?..

There he is!..

From Holyrood we jumped in a cab and headed to the top of Calton Hill to take in the views over the city. This is the view south looking towards Arthur's Seat, the highest point in the city at 251 metres (left) and the Salisbury Crags, an ancient volcanic cliff formation..

On top of Calton Hill is the National Monument. Modelled on the Parthenon of Athens but never completed it is a monument to those who died fighting for the UK in the Napoleanic Wars..

Construction began in 1826 and stopped 3 years later when the funds ran out (!)..

The western view from Calton Hill with Edinburgh Castle dominating the skyline to the left and the Balmoral Hotel clocktower towering over Princes Street..

Through the thorns, over the cemetery, past the monument, towards the Old Town and the Royal Mile..

And we finished out tour with an icecream in the Princes Street Gardens and a stroll past the Sir Walter Scott Monument, built in 1844 as a tribute to the writer..

Well, once again we trust you have enjoyed our sporadic blogcast and hope you will stay tuned for our next episode, coming to you from the much warmer climes of North Africa - woohoo!! Then it's the 'Gamble Family UK and Western Europe January Journey' - should be a corker!
See you in a few weeks..