Looks like one of the Rhododendron species to me...hopefully someone will tell you which one.

It is a Rhodendron but not sure which one.

Agree rhododendron but no idea which one... though I would expect it to be a species rhodo rather than a cultivar

Rhodo, the soft green 'candles' in the first picture are the new leaves emerging and the 'spiders' lower down are the seed heads left after the flowers have gone over. Agree with Mg that, being at Culzean, it will be species Rhodoendron rather than a cultivar. Sorry, cannot say which.

Thanks so far Guys I suspected Rhoddy by the leaves - still hoping for a species name

Kandersteg -why not e-mail them your photo, and ask if there Head Gardener can identify it for you?

Andrew - it's an National Trust property and getting through the red tape is well nigh impossible with no email contact direct with the gardener ( I know as I am an NT volunteer lol) I will visit again in the summer and check. I put the pics online on facebook and my American friends all want one!

You might not find a direct email address but the Culzean visitor centre phone number is 0844 493 2149. I've contacted NTS properties in the past and found them very helpful - unlike the south-of-the-border NT. I'd guess that you'd need to be able to give them a reasonable location - it's only 600 acres or so :o)