European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 9, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Cul Zean Castle stands atop a rugged 150-foot Cliff on Scotland s Western coast. Ike a Castle United kingdom Cul Zean Castle  Sas map Story and photo by David Tarrant Brussels Bureau a winning world War i helped Gen Dwight d. Eisenhower become the 34th president of the United states. It also brought him a scottish Castle. Ike s Castle actually called Cul Zean Castle stands High atop a rugged 150-foot Cliff on Scotland s Western coast. It offers magnificent views across the Firth of Clyde to the misty mountains of Arran. It s hard to think of Ike arguably one of America s most Down to Earth presidents As having his own Castle. And that s not the Only mystery associated with Eisenhower and the Castie. Quot we be never actually been Able to discover who it was that was responsible for the gift or Why i Don t think we Ever will Quot said Michael Tebbutt the administrator of Cul Zean. The Quot a Quot is silent so the name is pronounced like Quot Colleen Quot Quot i think it was simply a spontaneous gesture of appreciation Quot Tebbutt said. At the time the scots wanted to express their appreciation for Eisenhower s leadership during the victorious world War ii Campaign now 21 years after Eisenhower s death in 1969, Ike s Castle continues to symbolize the indelible Bond Between the scots and Eisenhower. Eisenhower whose Centennial birthday is being celebrated this year clearly relished the gift and the Sanctuary it offered from his heavy responsibilities As nato s top military commander and later As president of the United states. He is on record As having visited the Castle four times twice after the War w Hen he was the supreme commander of Allied forces Europe once As president and once during his retirement. During his visit As president Cul Zean was turned into a Quot scottish White House Quot and was connected to Washington with special Telephone lines. Lath visit generated great excitement arid curiosity from residents in the area around Turnberry and a a about 40 Miles Southwest of Glasgow. A alter Eisenhower mingled with some of the area residents during one visit a news article mentioned that Many people were astonished that the Man who had been the top Allied commander during world War appeared quite easy going and Down to Earth. Quot he s not a snob Quot one resident said. An exhibition portraying Eisenhower s achievements which remains permanently on display in the Public Section of the Castle demonstrates the duration of the scottish admiration for Ike. Visitors can see a portrait of Eisenhower at the Peak or his military c career and i spin s on a Day. A special Alcoy e has been set up in the exhibition area with Many personal items belonging to Eisenhower. These include a desk and chair he used during the North african Campaign plus family photographs a pair of his Reading glasses a copy of the Baltimore Sun with the headline Quot King George sends Eisenhower congratulations on Victory Quot and other mementos. A half completed Watercolour of the Castle painted a by Eisenhower is  called it Quot daubs born of my love of color and pleasure in  clearly Eisenhower held the scots in great esteem As revealed from an inscription in the guest Book which Eisenhower signed during his first visit on oct. 28, 1951 in 1945, the National Trust for Scotland presented to mrs. If Isenhower and me for our use during my. Lifetime an apartment in Cul Zean Castle. This they did because during world War ii i had the Honor of commanding scottish divisions in  the scots could also appreciate a Man who shared a passion for the sport for which Scotland is known Golf. If Eisenhower s game did t improve during his visits to Scotland it was t for Lack of practice. Quot he s on record As saying that this was a place where he could relax which he equated with playing his Golf Quot Tebbutt said. Quot and he played Golf he played Golf he played Golf Quot following Eisenhower s death his portion of the Castle reverted Back to the National Trust for Scotland which makes Ike s Flat available to private individuals. Either the whole Flat or part of it May now be rented for special functions or Short vacations. Either by scottish residents or non residents. The Price is considerable. The Cost of the Eisenhower suite is 220 pounds per night about $390 for double occupancy and 145 pounds per night about $250 for single occupancy. But the rooms Are very popular and perhaps because of the connection to Eisenhower about 85 percent of those who rent the Flat Are americans Tebbutt said. The work of the 18th-Century scottish architect Robert Adam the Castle has All the romantic ingredients of towers and turrets. Visitors enter by the porch and pass into the armoury designed in 1777. The armory houses a spectacular exhibition of 18th and 19th-Century pistols arranged in Oval displays. Many of them Are the Light Dragoon Flintlock pistols which were issued to the West Lowland Fen Cible regiment which was formed Early in the 19th Century to meet the threat of an invasion posed by Napoleon Bonaparte. Past the armory is the old eating room eventually converted into a Library and the dining room where visitors can see examples of 18th-Century Chippendale furniture but the highlight of the ground floor is the spectacular Center staircase a masterful blend of Light and space by the architect Adam. The dramatic effect is heightened by the color scheme which contrasts the Plush red carpeting covering the stairway with the Bright White a decorative columns which emphasize the height. The Oval staircase leads to the Saloon which bears absolutely no resemblance to anything from the old West. The ova room includes an ornate round carpet based on one designed by Adam for the room and a ceiling based on a Watercolour scheme also designed by Adam. But visitors will want to look out the windows w Here the rocks and Breakers of the Firth of Clyde can be seen 1 50 feet below and farther across the water the Island of Arran rises out of the Mist. Also upstairs the drawing room bedroom and dressing room upstairs include Many numerous and remarkable furnishings and Artw Ork including an elaborate dressing Case Given by the third marquess Archibald Kennedy to his first wife Evelyn Stuart i he grounds of the Castle were declared Scotland s first country Park in 1969, and it s easy to see Why i Here is a Well preserved Woodland which shelters the Park from the w kinds that w hip up off the coast. An impressive Fountain court Garden sits behind the Castle. All in All it s a Castle fit Tor a i or a president. A ung. 10 stripes Magazine August 9, j