The Eisenhower Apartment, Culzean Castle
The National Trust for Scotland offers perhaps the most exclusive accommodation anywhere in Scotland at the Eisenhower Apartment in Culzean Castle. In 1945, when the Marquess of Ailsa gave Culzean to The National Trust for Scotland, he asked that part of the castle be given to General Eisenhower, for his lifetime, as a thank you from Scotland for commanding Scottish soldiers in the battle of Europe.
Eisenhower visited Culzean four times - once as President and finally during his retirement. He enjoyed golfing, painting and walking in the peace and quiet of Culzean's beautiful gardens, woodland and seashore. 'This is a place I can relax,' he wrote. An exhibition in the castle tells something of Eisenhower's achievements and of his visits to Culzean.
Eisenhower allowed VIP visitors and his own friends to use the apartment. Following his death The National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Heritage USA (who have given the Trust great financial support at Culzean) made the apartment available for the enjoyment of a wider public. Today Eisenhower's presidential retreat is a self-contained country house hotel on the top floor of the castle, with private access by elevator.
The apartment enjoys truly spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde to the mountains of Arran and Mull of Kintyre. There are six bedrooms accommodating up to twelve people. All are charmingly furnished and decorated in keeping with the property. Guests share a comfortable round drawing room and an elegant little dining room that can seat up to fourteen. Throughout their stay guests are looked after by the Apartment Manager and her staff, who cook and serve the best of Scottish food.
Guests may take either one room and join the house party with the other guests or, at a discount, all six bedrooms. The whole Apartment can be booked for a family party or a business meeting in style. Reservations are essential and should be made through the Administrator, Culzean Castle, Maybole, Ayrshire, KA19 8LE, tel 0870 1181945 fax (01655) 884503 or click here for further details