Hidden door to Culzean Castle caves is uncovered

The remains of a hidden medieval doorway that leads to caves underneath Culzean Castle has been discovered.

Archaeologists working alongside National Trust for Scotland have been investigating the caves over the summer and unearthed remnants of the door for the first time.

Meanwhile, radiocarbon dating on the caves – which were famously used by smugglers in the 17th and 18th century – indicate that the subterranean structures were occupied up to 1,800 years ago, during the Iron Age.

NTS now hopes to open up the castle caves to the public to enhance the visitor experience at Culzean.

Derek Alexander, head of archaeological services for the trust, said: “We are really excited about this discovery and the results of the excavation so far.

“We knew there was a wall and doorway at the mouth of the Castle Cave but there was nothing at the entrance of the Stables Cave. A couple of stones on the surface suggested there might have been a wall.

“Imagine our surprise when we found two sides of a doorway surviving up to eight courses high buried to a depth of about one metre. The doorway is quite wide, measuring 1.1m across and could have been secured with a draw bar.”

Charcoal found in the lowest midden deposit in the upper chamber of Castle Caves dates from between 135 and 325 AD, according to radiocarbon testing.

Mr Alexander added: “This is similar to a date from the Gazebo Court on top of the cliff above the cave but is the earliest dated evidence from the caves.

“Uncovering new finds like this helps us to inspire others to support us in our work to ensure Scotland’s heritage is valued by everyone and protected now and for future generations.”

The finds were made during a Thistle Camp organised by NTS to give volunteers a chance to work on archaeological and conseration projects at Scotland historic sites.

Camp leader Christine Mcpherson said: “We found lots of modern pottery, glass and some 18th century wine bottles. An iron strip may have been part of the door hinge or fittings.”

Culzean Castle was designed by Robert Adam for David, tenth Earl of Cassillis, on a site associated with the Kennedy family since the 14th century.

In 1945, the Marquess of Ailsa gave Culzean Castle and its surrounding gardens to the National Trust for Scotland.

He famously asked that part of the castle be offered to General Eisenhower, as a thank you from the Scottish people for commanding the allied forces in the battle for Europe.

The castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland, yet the caves remain unknown to most visitors, according to NTS. One set of 0 NTS archaeologists found a medieval doorway leading to the caves below Culzean Castle caves under the stables is open to the public but the network below the castle is protected by a stone frontage and barred entrances.

Following the recent archaeological investigations, the NTS is keen to improve access to the subterranean structures.

Ian Cornforth, Culzean head ranger, said: “These results will help inform our interpretation of the Culzean and the human activity in the caves.

“There are so many stories to tell here and share with our visitors.” An advert for a fertility app billed as a “highly accurate” contraceptive tool has been banned after it was ruled misleading.

Natural Cycles – an app founded in Sweden – claimed to be a clinicallytested birth control alternative.

But the Advertising Standards Authority ruled claims made in a Facebook ad were misleading as it decided the effectiveness of the app was exaggerated.

The Facebook advert, seen on 20 July last year, said: “Natural Cycles is a highly accurate, certified, contraceptive app that adapts to every woman’s unique menstrual cycle. Sign up to get to know your body and prevent pregnancies naturally.”

An accompanying video claimed the app, which charges £5.99 monthly or £39.99 annually, “offers a new, clinically tested alternative to birth control methods”. The Advertising Standards Authority received five complaints.

In a ruling, the ASA said: “In the context of the ad, the claim ‘highly accurate contraceptive app’ would be understood by consumers to mean that the app had a high degree of accuracy and was therefore very reliableinbeingabletoprevent unwanted pregnancies.”

The app’s algorithm takes into account factors such as ovulation day and cycle length.