MAGNIFICENT CASTLE OF CULZEAN AND THE KENNEDY FAMILY

Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire coast is the most visited property of the National Trust for Scotland. Sir Thomas Kennedy, 9th Earl of Cassillis, went on an extended grand tour in the 1750s and returned full of ideas as to how to improve his vast estates and home. His brother and heir commissioned Robert Adam to create his masterpiece and became bankrupt as a result but the estate was rescued when wealthy American cousins inherited it in 1792., lavishing mobey on the property to complete it. Michael Moss has carried out extensive research, drawing on estate records, original plans and family correspondence to create a major history of the castle and the family as well as a fascinating account of the running of a Scottish country estate. With many illustrations and photos, a good number of which are in colour, and an accessible style, this is essential reading for anyone interested in Scottish history and Scottish architecture.