Dumfries and Galloway

For our next adventure John planned a trip for us to Dumfries and Galloway in Southwest Scotland.  It was a complete surprise for CJ.

Our first stop was lunch in Kirkoswald at Souter's Inn.

Kirkoswald is the village where the poet Robert Burns was inspired to write his classic poem, Tam O Shanter.  In 1775, when he was 16 he spent a summer there with his grandparents.  His mother, Agnes Broun, was born and raised in the village.  His time in the village, inspired him to turn the local characters into an interesting story.  Douglas Graham, who rented a farm named Shanter, became Tam O' Shanter, John Davidson, owner of the cottage and the local shoemaker, or souter as it was known then, became Souter Johnnie, and Jean Kennedy, who ran a small inn with her sister, named Kirkton, became Kirkton Jean.   Many of the real people who inspired the characters in his classic poem Tam o’Shanter are buried in the Kirkoswald Auld Kirk.

Kirkoswald Auld Kirk

We were pleasantly surprised with the food, (thinking we were going to be eating "pub fare") and are still trying to figure out when we can stop back by to enjoy another meal.

We continued on down the road, still to CJ's surprise, as she wasn't sure if that was the end of the road trip or not.  John was playing into the whole surprise thing, pointing out that the place was also an inn and not just a restaurant.

We stopped a few times along the way to take pictures. (most of the sites were closed for the winter)

Crossraguel Abbey

We were driving and sightseeing when we saw another lighthouse.  John asked if we should go see it, well of course we should!  

Seeing that it is now a hotel, John asked if we should stay there tonight?!?  So that's the big surprise!  CJ has had a love of lighthouses for many many years and has always wanted to stay in one.  What a dream come true! 

Corsewall Lighthouse was designed by Robert Stevenson and built in 1815.  The lighthouse was automated in 1994 and is now monitored by the Northern Lighthouse Board.   The light still beams a warning for ships approaching the mouth of Loch Ryan as it has done for the past 185 years.  The dwelling house has since been converted into the four-star Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel.

We checked into our room where we had another surprise awaiting us.

We then headed out to explore the area.  Our first stop was The Killantringan Lighthouse.  

The Killantringan Lighthouse was built by David Stevenson in 1900, and served as a waypoint in the North Channel of the Irish Sea.  The the fog signal was discontinued in 1987 and the light was automated in 1988.  In 2005, it was decided that it was only serving as a waypoint and the light was permanently discontinued in January 2007.  The light keepers' house and the smaller adjacent cottage are let as self-catering holiday accommodations by the current owners.

Our next stop was the coastal village of Portpartrick.

The Portpatrick Hotel, built in 1905.

We headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.  We enjoyed an amazing dinner at the hotel.  

The next day we hit the road to explore more of the peninsula before heading to our next destination.

Our next stop was the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southern point.

The view from the top of the cliff is amazing, with views looking to the West across to Ireland and looking South to the Isle of Man.

The Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, which stands 260 ft above sea level was built by Robert Stevenson, with work commencing in 1828 and taking two years to complete.  In 1971 it was converted to electric and was automated in 1988.  The dwelling house has since been converted into a vistor center.    

The Mull of Galloway was an incredible sight to see and goes on our "Favorite Places in Scotland" list.

Our next stop was to see the Glenluce Abbey.  Glenluce Abbey was a Cistercian monastery.  It was founded around 1190 by Rolland (or Lochlann), Lord of Galloway and Constable of Scotland.  Following the Scottish Reformation in 1560, the abbey fell into disuse.

Our next stop was for lunch at Marrbury Smokehouse Bistro and Shop, which happen to be beside of the Carsluith Castle at Wigtown Bay.

Carsluith Castle is a ruined tower house, dating largely to the 16th century.

We enjoyed our lunch and purchased some smoked cheese and meats for the road.

Our next stop was just up the road to the Cairnholy Chambered Cairns.  The cairns are situated on a hill offering fine views over Wigtown Bay.  

There are two remarkably complete Neolithic burial cairns.  It was amazing to think that these were tombs from 4000 - 6000 yrs ago. 

We only visited Cairn Holy I, as it was getting very windy and starting to snow.

A bridge along our route

The next stop was a drive by The Cardoness Castle.

Cardoness Castle is a well-preserved 15th Century tower house, owned by the MacCulloch family of Galloway.

Our last stop for the day was Dumfries, where we spent the night.

Robert Burns Statue and Greyfriars Church.

We got up the next morning and hit the road, heading to Caerlaverock Castle, 6.8 miles south of Dumfries. 

Caerlaverock Castle is a moated triangular castle built in the 13th century, as a stronghold of the Maxwell family.  It was besieged by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence, and underwent several partial demolitions and reconstructions over the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 17th century, the Maxwells were named Earls of Nithsdale, and built a new lodging within the walls, described as among the most ambitious early classical domestic architecture in Scotland.  In 1640 the castle was besieged for the last time and was subsequently abandoned.

This earlier castle is also found at Caerlaverock about 660 feet to the south.  This castle was square in shape and was one of the earliest stone castles to be built in Scotland.  It had a moat with a bridge facing north.  Only the foundations and remains of a wooden enclosure around it remain.  The castle may have been incomplete when it was abandoned in favor of a rock outcrop at the new location.

The weather was really cold and rainy, quickly turning to snow, 

(as you can see the raindrops on the camera lens.) so we decided to end our trip here and head straight back home. 

Despite the weather it was a great weekend, one we sure won't forget anytime soon!

Look for our next blog coming out soon (hopefully) about our winter break to The Seychelles Islands.   

Cheers,

John and CJ