The Old Estate Buildings
A walk through the grounds of Culzean is likely to reveal a piece of hidden history around the corner. Scattered throughout the park are a large number of ancillary buildings ranging from major structures, such as the Gas House complex, to smaller creations typified by the Camellia House, the Cat Gates and the Pagoda. These buildings contribute a great deal to the character and atmosphere of the property. Discovering a mysterious ruin concealed within the trees can be the highlight of a walk through the park.
Each building has its own story to tell, as to what its purpose was, when it was built and by whom. Great care is taken to maintain the buildings in their present state, or often to restore them to their former glory.
The Pagoda
The pagoda stands at the top of the grass lawn overlooking the Swan Pond. It was built in 1860. The lower level was the swan house and aviary with the Gazebo or teahouse above, entered by means of an elegant horseshoe staircase.
During its time the aviary housed specimens of gold and silver pheasants, pigeons of fancy varieties, kites and hunting hawk. It is also thought that one time a monkey was housed here, giving the pagoda its local nick name of the ‘monkey house’.
The Pagoda fell into a ruined state, but was restored in 1998, and now is one of only three surviving examples of pagodas in Britain and the only one built from stone.
Camellia House
The Camellia House was designed originally as an orangery by James Donaldson, in 1818. Later it housed camellias which, when first introduced into Britain from Japan in the 18th century, were thought to be delicate plants that needed to be grown in hot houses.
It was originally glazed with very thick glass (1cm thick), and had a dome top. A furnace at the back of the building supplied under-floor heating.
The Camellia House was full restored and re-glazed in 1995.
Water House
The Water house is a quirky little square building, hidden in the trees opposite the entrance to Happy Valley. Its function was linked with the water supply to the walled garden and the trout hatchery.
Gas House
The gas house complex stands on a little bay, below the castle. The gas man’s cottage is located above the courtyard which holds the gas house with its tall chimney and the gasometer pit.
On its completion c1878 coal gas was produced, although the light given out from this was poor, until incandescent gas mantles were introduced. In 1901 the gas house was converted to produce acetylene gas, which burns with a very bright light, resembling daylight. The gas was stored in a large tank, the gasometer, and fed by pipes to the castle and home farm for gas lighting, the rest of the estate used paraffin lamps.
The gas house was working until 1947, when the National Trust for Scotland, having just come into possession of Culzean, installed electricity. The buildings were restored in 1993, and now house an exhibition on gas production, and the life of William Murdoch, pioneer of domestic gas lighting.
Icehouse
Icehouses, the forerunners of modern refrigeration, became popular in the late 18th century. There are two icehouses at Culzean, the main one near the Swan Pond and a smaller one under the viaduct.
The Swan Pond icehouse was built c1780 about 50yards from the pond. It consists of a man-made square pit dug into the banking, lined with stone and with a stone vaulted ceiling, covered with earth for insulation. A short passage with two doors allowed access to the pit. Drainage at the bottom allowed melt water to drain away.
Ice was collected each winter when the Swan Pond froze over, using flat-bottomed boats to remove the blocks that were cut. The ice was packed into the icehouse up to the level of the doorway, and then food would be placed on top of straw on the surface of the ice, hung from ceiling hooks, or placed on shelving around the edge.
The second ice house was incorporated into the design of the viaduct by Robert Adam, and is shown on the 1780 plans. It has the more conventional egg shaped structure and is accessed from a small side room. It was located to be conveniently near to the Castle. The structure now houses a small display about the history and use of icehouses.
Filter House
The Filter House, which dates from 1888, was designed to clean the drinking water, collected by drainage of the surrounding area and then supplied to the Castle. It was a large water tank, with tiled walls (still visible) and a slated roof. Filtration was usually through several layers consisting of sand, fine gravel, coarse gravel and broken stones.
It fell into disuse when Culzean became connected to the Ayr County Water Scheme in the 1930’s.
Cat Gates
The Cat Gates (also known as Swinston Gates) stand at the bottom of Morriston Drive, one of the two original entrances into Culzean. The gates and two tiny lodge houses, (actually two separate rooms of the one house!), one each side of gateway, were built between 1800-1820. The lodge houses were demolished by the NTS in the 1950’s.
On top of the gates are two large cats made from Coade Stone. Coade Stone is not real stone, but artificially made using a secret formula invented by the Coade Family in the 18th century. The formula died with the family, about 100 years ago.
Coastline
Culzean Country Park boasts no less than five kilometres of magnificent coastline. From the sand dunes at the south end of the park to the rugged rocky shoreline pitted with rock pools, caves and rock arches the shore and beaches of san and shingle it stretches all the way to Croy Shore, the northern boundary of the park. The diversity of habitat has a correspondingly diverse flora and fauna well worthy of a day’s investigation. Birdwatchers will find waders, migratory waterfowl, fulmars, ravens and possibly peregrine falcons. Botanists can find classic examples of sand dune, shingle beach, stand and cliff vegetation and young and old alike will marvel at the curious creatures to be found in the rock pools at low tide.
The coastline is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest – primarily for its geological features but additionally for its plant and bird life. In 2002 Port Carrick beach was the only beach in the west of Scotland to feature in the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Beach Guide, recognising its cleanliness and water quality.
There are eight access points to the shore throughout the Park.
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