Adventure for all the family
Two National Trust for Scotland castles are spectacular, finds Stephen Emerson
It’s not easy being a parent and organising a family holiday that will keep the kids and adults entertained but also conjure up the magic fairy dust that makes a family holiday live long in the memory.
Step forward Arran, Ayrshire and the National Trust for Scotland treasures of Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park, and Culzean Castle & Country Park.
Here you will find Scotland at its finest with rolling green landscapes, adventure activities for the kids and enough historical oddities to keep the parents amused.
Brodick Castle is an imposing fortress whose presence quickly becomes apparent when you step off the ferry onto Arran from Ardrossan.
Once home to the Hamilton dynasty, its trails spread out up to Goatfell mountain – the Isle of Arran’s highest point – and beyond.
Brodick Castle is a place where you can easily get lost for a day.
Let the kids run free in the adventure playground before letting them loose on the fairy trails which run northwards from the castle.
You can spend a very pleasant and peaceful afternoon walking amongst the lush greenery of the castle gardens which lie sheltered, thanks to a thick defence line of trees, from the Firth of Clyde.
In the castle, opt for a guided tour and hear how it has been attacked throughout its history in battles ranging from the Wars of Scottish Independence to the English Civil War.
According to our guide, Sue Mills, Brodick Castle was prized by aggressors because of its strategic position on the Firth of Clyde.
The castle is also packed with horse-racing trophies, paintings and memorabilia which tell the story of William, the 12th Duke of Hamilton.
The Duke, a dedicated gambler, burned through much of the family’s reserves on horse racing and yachting excursions. While he achieved some notable wins, including the Grand National in 1867, it was not enough to prevent a fire sale of the family’s assets which became known as the ‘Sale of the Century’.
The Auchrannie Resort is just a five minute drive from Brodick Castle and is an ideal bolthole.
It is the perfect place to recover from a day’s exploring on the island.
The resort is custom-built for families looking to unwind, with accommodation ranging from luxury lodges to wooden retreats, swimming pools, games hall and dining options.
Why not check your kids into the Playbarn and enjoy a drink in the leather armchairs of Brambles bar?
After recharging at Auchrannie, head back on the ferry at Brodick and take the hour-long drive through the South Ayrshire countryside to Culzean Castle, which has 600 acres of grounds offering woodland paths, mirror-surfaced ponds, sand dunes and rockpools to explore.
Staff have developed a novel way for children to discover the history of the castle through Lego figures stashed in various nooks around its grand interior. Young visitors are equipped with a list of Lego figures to hunt out throughout the day. It has been such a success that castle staff now have to frequently move the Lego pieces around to account for the eagle eyes of returning youngsters.
The people working at Culzean, like most who work at National Trust for Scotland properties, have an infectious enthusiasm for the work that they do. Head guide Gordon Nelson says: “When I walk from the car park and the castle comes into full view, I have to pinch myself to remind me that I work here.”
When I meet Gordon he is dressed
Clockwise from main: Culzean Castle in Ayrshire; Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran; Auchrannie Resort
Brodick Castle is a place where you can easily get lost for a day
head-to-toe in Victorian costume while some other staff members are dressed as servants.
“When a plane flies overhead, I will look startled and pretend it’s a dragon. The kids love the costume and show that we put on. It is all part of the experience,” he says.
To experience the ultimate the castle has to offer, book into the Eisenhower Hotel.
General Eisenhower was gifted the top floor of the castle as a thank you for leading the Allies to victory during the Second World War. He visited four times before his death in 1969 and described it as one of the most peaceful places he had ever been and his Scottish White House.
The antique-filled rooms include a drawing room and its own serving staff. Those staying in the hotel (rooms cost £250-£500 a night) will be given a key to their own dwelling and to the castle itself so that they can come and go as they please. ■
National Trust for Scotland (www. nts.org.uk) family membership starts
from £6 per month and provides free entry and free parking at all NTS places. An overnight stay at Auchrannie (www.auchrannie.co.uk) costs around £150 for a family room
per night.