This is night No.14/2021 living in the caravan. It's our second night at the Garlieston C&MC Site in Dumfries and Galloway.
The weather has been fairly mixed today, but gradually improved through the day and the temperatures picked up making it a pretty pleasant day.
Took the dogs along the beach in front of the 'promenade' of Garlieston. It's a fine little village, and it does have a good pub, and a petrol station which also doubles as a shop. Haven't been in yet, but probably will in the next couple of days. There used to be a shop, not a bad little place run by a friendly old bloke, but that has now shut and the shop itself looks like it's now being used as a house.
First walk of the day (post breakfast) was a walk around the lovely Kilsture Forest near the village. The bluebells were in full bloom. A great run around for the dogs.
Took a scenic route around the area, and noticed a sign for 'Sorbie Tower' so we went to investigate. At the entrance to the site, there was the remains of a WWI Tank? However, it was the remains of a replica which had been constructed from 3x2's and chipboard? Very strange and nothing to explain why it was there!
Sorbie Tower is a very impressive structure. Obviously a fortified house or castle, and the information board gave a very 'Border Reivers' type story about it's history.
Apparently, it's the ancient seat of the 'Clan Hannay'. I'm not sure that such a Clan actually every existed. It was 'possibly' built be a poet and courtier of James VI called Patrick Hannay, but a memorial plaque I spotted on a wall stated that the first head of Clan Hannay was born in 1911?
Later in the afternoon, we walked a nice circular route from the site, through the grounds of Galloway House, and followed the coastal path back to Garlieston.
Farmers in this area are busy cutting and harvesting the grass. This is big cattle country and there is a lot of pasture.
The very impressive Galloway House.
The gardens are all open to the public and are maintained by volunteers. They are incredible with a huge variety of shrubs and trees.
The Rhododendron collection is superb with some huge specimens and many colours.
This yellow one was really fragrant. I could smell it from about 20yds away.
These strange looking 'trifids' were about 6' high.
The walk emerged at Rigg Bay, where a lot of wartime testing of bridges and pontoons used in the D Day landings took place.
Nice to see photos of Galloway House and its grounds. My dormitory overlooked the over side of the big house. You timed it perfectly to see the rhodedenron collection. If you go back, watch for the (I think) unique five leaved rhodie; we were always told about it. Shame to read the old shop has closed. I recall spending our weekly pocket money (all ten pence of it!) in there during our outings. I love that wee town.
ReplyDeleteOh - and meant to mention to remember John Hannay was the hero of several John Buchan books, including The 39 Steps. Wonder if he sourced the name from Sorbie Castle?
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