Cookies

We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set optional analytics cookies to help us improve it. We won't set optional cookies unless you enable them or accept our recommended settings. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.

Options
Necessary cookies enable core functionality on our website. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.
We use marketing cookies to personalise your visit to our website and show you tailored advertising based on your likes and interests.
We use analytics cookies to monitor visitor behaviour patterns and improve our website performance.

Your preferences have been set. If you wish to change your preferences, you may do so on our cookies page.

Search My Trust
Join now
Join
Close

Looking for places? Use our place search to find them by name, town or postcode.

See all stories
1 Jun 2021

Culzean by the Sea

A willow sculpture that looks like the Loch Ness monster is in a large pond, half in, half out of the water.
A new willow sculpture trail has opened this month around Culzean Castle & Country Park as part of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21.

Each creation links to a distinctive aspect of Culzean’s relationship with the sea and waterways. Running until Sunday 31 October, visitors will be able to explore the beautiful gardens and grounds, as well as admiring each of the fabulous willow sculptures.

The fantastical trail depicts creatures, real and mythical, of the sea and water. From a magical mermaid to a seahorse and a terrifying kraken, there are 15 creatures to find located throughout the country park.

A large willow sculpture of a seahorse in a country park. A willow sculpture of a large starfish in a country park.

The bespoke pieces were created by Girvan-based sculptor David Powell, with support from the Year of Coasts and Waters and EventScotland.

Quote
“After a long lockdown, we know people can’t wait to get back to the places they love. This new sculpture trail will help you find new ways to appreciate Culzean’s beautiful grounds and connect with nature.”
Gareth Clingan
Operations Manager at Culzean Castle & Country Park
A willow sculpture of a swan beside a pond.

Sculptor David Powell said: ‘The Culzean project has been a fantastic opportunity to explore the real and imagined worlds of coasts and waters on my doorstep, bringing to life creatures from both local folklore and the real world. I hope that the sculptures and the new trail gives as much pleasure to visitors as I have had in creating them over the past year, informing and educating them about the wonderful wealth of wildlife and folklore that surrounds us.’

A willow sculpture of a heron in woodland.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland said: ‘We are delighted to be supporting Culzean by the Sea as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21. Scotland offers the perfect stage to explore our coastal settings and this sculpture trail adds a new creative element for visitors to Culzean to enjoy.’

Visitors can collect a trail map which includes fun facts about these creatures (suggested donation £2 per trail). And there’s a chance to win a willow sculpture in the prize draw!

Coast and Waters logo


Explore Culzean Castle

Visit now

Featured Places

Looking towards Culzean Castle, with the Fountain Court garden in the foreground.
Place

Culzean Castle

Robert Adam’s cliff-top masterpiece rises above a world of woods, beaches, secret follies and play parks

Ayrshire & Arran

Read next

A view of Culzean Castle from the Fountain Court garden in front of it, on a sunny day. Palm trees line the walls of the garden. A flowering yellow shrub is in the right foreground.

The Great Eight at Culzean Castle

Gordon Nelson, Head Guide and Collections Care Officer at Culzean Castle, tells us about some of his favourite things to look for at the property.

An aerial view of Culzean Castle, taken from over the sea. The castle and surrounding buildings have been labelled with letters. Black arrows have also been superimposed, showing the direction of the sketches referred to in the story.

Culzean Castle before Robert Adam

Remains of the medieval castle at Culzean are recorded in a series of sketches and an estate map.

A mute swan swims across a smooth loch. It is all white apart from its orange and black bill. Its neck makes an S shape, and it holds its wings slightly out from its body, making it appear even larger.

Wildlife spotter’s guide: Culzean Country Park

From gardens and woodland, to ponds and the seashore, the rich diversity of habitats at Culzean support a wide range of animal and plant life.

A loaf of tea bread with two slices cut on a cooling rack with a green tea towel underneath.

Recipe: Joyce’s tea bread from Haddo House

A tea-soaked mix of currants, sultanas, and sugar bakes into a cosy, rich loaf. Slice it up and enjoy!

Read more stories on

Back to top