Ayrshire's Culzean Castle named among Europe's 'most beautiful'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Stunning Culzean Castle has been named among "the most beautiful" in Europe by a top travel outlet. The grand location in Carrick featured among a must-see list of medieval buildings published by Brazilian travel guide Vegas Pelo Mundo.

Culzean, the former home of the Marquess of Ailsa, ranked ninth on a list which featured only two Scots locations.Eilean Donan Castle in the Highlands was the only other Scottish entrant at number ten.Culzean's rich history dates back to 1777 when construction began.Its iconic large drum tower with a circular saloon inside boasts a grand oval staircase and a suite of well-appointed apartments.In 1945, the castle's owners - the Kennedy Clan - gave the grounds over to the National Trust for Scotland and in doing so, they stipulated that the apartment at the top of the castle be given to General of the Army in recognition of his role Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during the Second World War.Dwight D.

Eisenhower first visited Culzean in 1946 and stayed at the castle four times, including once while President of the United States.The castle has undergone extensive refurbishment in more recent times and re-opened in April 2011 after work which was funded by a gift in the will of American millionaire William Lindsay to the National Trust.Lindsay, who had never visited Scotland, requested that a significant portion of his $4 million go towards Culzean having reportedly been interested in Eisenhower's holidays at the castle.The castle, which is famous for its walled gardens, attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year, and is regarded as one of the jewels in Ayrshire's crown. Top 10 Most Beautiful Castles In Europe: Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our