Photos and the City

Tag: roadtrip

  • Glenwhan Gardens

    Little did I know I was in for a surprise with my next home for two nights. I had booked this little Shepherd´s Hut at Airbnb just because it seemed a great spot to explore Dumfries & Galloway and I wanted to stay in a lovely hut for some time.

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    Little did I know it was situated in the most beautiful gardens above the little village of Dunragit. The work on the gardens started about 35 years ago and is an ongoing labour of love.

    It was a wee wet day when I arrived and the little hut seemed even cosier.

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    But I still had to explore the gardens a little bit.

    The Gardens are a labour of love, hewn from rough moorland 35 years ago. With the warming influence of the Gulf Stream, Glenwhan grows many tender plants from around the Southern Hemisphere, together with large collections of rare trees and shrubs. A numbered tree trail for the dendrologist has been collated, along with a 17 acre moorland walk with 120 species of wildflowers, grasses, and ferns. Two small lakes (Lochans) are the focal point of these family-run gardens, with seats and  meandering paths running along enchanting walks with interesting scupltures, which the visitor will discover.

    (Glenwhan Gardens)

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    On the next morning, I woke up to sunshine, some lovely visitors and another surprise: the sea!

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    South facing and 300 ft above sea level, Glenwhan Gardens offer magnificent views over Luce Bay, the Mull of Galloway and the Isle of Man, a perfect backdrop for this garden gem, with leisurely paths and Seats to sit and relax on and enjoy the Spectacular sea Views

    (Scotlands Garden Route)

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    Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants

  • Threave Castle

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    A visit at Threave Castle starts with a little 5 to 10 minutes walk through the lush hills and fields until you´ll catch the first glimpse of the castle sitting on a little island in River Dee.

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    A small boat of the National Trust for Scotland awaits you and brings you safely to the fortress on the island. It is said that Threave Island was the home of the ancient rulers of Galloway about a 1000 years ago, but the left no trace.

    Today’s tall forbidding tower was built by Sir Archibald Douglas, the new Lord of Galloway but better known as Archibald the Grim, in 1369. He died on Threave as 3rd Earl of Douglas, one of the most influential and important figures in Southern Scottland, in 1400.

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    About 50 years later Theave was under a two-month siege when James II tried to overthrow the Black Douglases and brought the Castle under the Crowns command. Later it belonged to the Maxwell Family.

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    The tower was (is) 5 storeys high, had storage and service space under its lower floors and houses Archibalds private rooms above. There were a little harbour and several buildings around the castle.

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    More information about Threave Castle is on the National Trust for Scotland site.

     

  • Sweetheart Abbey

    sweetheart abbey, scotland, uk, ruins, dumfries, galloway, national trust of scotland

    When her beloved husband Lord John Balliol died in 1268 Lady Dervorgilla of Galloway had his embalmed heart placed in an ivory casket which she always carried with her. And she did quite a few charitable acts in his name, like the founding of the Cistercian abbey of Dulce Cor, the Sweet Heart Abbey, in 1273.

    When Lady Dervorgilla died in 1289 she was buried in front of the abbey church’s high altar, together with her late husband’s heart.

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    The abbey was demised in 1560 following the Protestant Reformation. Since then a graceful ruin survived wars and time.

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