8 Days in Scotland

[tpa]

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend 8 days in Scotland, the first 4 were to cover Bannockburn for which the pictures are on this thread and the final 4 camping in Ayrshire, an area I had not previously stayed in. Aside from Bannockburn, I got my first view of the new (2nd) forth Road Bridge, currently under construction, seen here behind the current road bridge: It will have a lot to live up to to out do the old rail bridge though: My best man and his wife took us for a trip along the coast to Anstruther, a fishing village: where we relaxed in the sun: and had tea in the fishing museum. Leaving that we bumped into friends we had not seen for 15 years who live on the other side of Scotland and were across on holiday: Over in Ayrshire we visited the Burns Museum and cottage: the museum is well worth a visit; we even got a few folk songs and Burns recitals from a regular presenter, a function they put on every Wednesday. Continued in next post.

[tpa]

The next day we visited Arran. I had not been there since childhood so it was interesting to see how my memories related to reality. We went over by ferry: and whilst the weather was overcast a lot of the time, the views were still good: We got on to a local bus which circumnavigated the island. Sitting in the back trying to take pictures, it was more like a fairground ride than a bus trip. However the bus driver, realising the problem, actually stopped a few times to point things out like this peacock: We did manage a few photos through the bus windows but Ailsa Craig was a bit of a disappointment and we did not have time for a special trip there: However he even let us get out for a picture of Blackwaterfoot: After our tour we got another bus up to Brodick Castle. Here we were not allowed to take pictures inside the castle, so it is outside only: but it is definitely worth a visit. The National Trust for Scotland say it is the most homely of the properties they have, containing everything more or less as it was when the family lived there. Back in Ayrshire: see next post.

[GMan]

That looks like that you were for sure having fun.

[plaid preacher]

Great pictures. Thank you for sharing them with us.

[tpa]

Back in Ayrshire, it was on to another National Trust Property, Culzean Castle (pronounced Culane). This time you were allowed to take photos inside, but not to post them on a website; however the guide book is not expensive. It poured down with rain all day, my lack of socks was a necessity because of the wet grass at the campsite and the wet grass around the deer park where I also tried for some pictures.

The Walled Garden Campsite and Caravan Park in Carrick was great: very helpful, very friendly, regular visitors and bowls on a Friday night and a caleigh on a Saturday night. Regrettably we could not stay for the caleigh, but had so many people wanting to chat before we left that we were an hour late for a lunch date at the delightful Failford Inn with some old friends who lived nearby:

[cessna152towser]

Excellent pics.
You can't do better than a holiday in Scotland.
It was great to meet you at Bannockburn.
The problem with placing indoor pics from furnished castles on the internet is that they could be used by would be raiders to map out where the valuable items are situated.
I had some nice photos from a castle interior on my Flickr account for several years until I was contacted by the castle owner and requested to remove them, following police advice which they had received regarding security.

[tpa]

Excellent pics.
You can't do better than a holiday in Scotland.

Yes, especially when the weather is kind, although even the rain has a nice feel and smell to it sometimes.

It was great to meet you at Bannockburn.

And to meet you and your wife again. Like you I will not be going to Luton this year, but we are hoping for Ashbourne.

The problem with placing indoor pics from furnished castles on the internet is that they could be used by would be raiders to map out where the valuable items are situated.
I had some nice photos from a castle interior on my Flickr account for several years until I was contacted by the castle owner and requested to remove them, following police advice which they had received regarding security.

Thank you for the information, that had not occurred to me. I thought it was to increase sales of the guide book! I thought any potential burglar would have visited, bought a guide book and done his own survey of the placement of items and more importantly the security features, which a normal person is unlikely to take pictures of. Mainly I took pictures so I could blow them up later and look at them properly. Some of the items were too distant or too dark to see clearly.

[rtown]

Thank you very much for sharing the photos. Looks like a great time.

[tulloch]

Wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing them.

[grizzbass]

makes me jealous. nice shots