SW Scotland photos
 

Here's some photos taken yesterday for anyone interested. We went a trip further west in Galloway to the Isle of Whithorn (which isn't an island) and Port William. It was a lovely day for a change - it has been a very poor summer this year in northern Blighty.

The Post Office at Isle of Whithorn:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0fqvihoh.jpg
A panoramic shot of the harbour:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psz9eehqbh.jpg
Coastline near Isle of Whithorn looking over Wigtown Bay towards Cairnsmore of Fleet; cattle grazing by the shore:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psdxs8rwcg.jpg
At Port William there is a statue of a fisherman looking out to sea and the plaque in front contains an extract from W H Davies poem 'Leisure' - What is life if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...pscqaw9vw8.jpg

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

We lived in Scotland for 10 yrs, and there is SO much I didn't see.:thumbdown: Lovely pictures.:thumbup:

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Lovely pics, thank you.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Here's some more photos in an occasional series. Yesterday we headed east of where we stay and had a lovely day in and around the village of New Abbey and on the Solway Coast nearby. New Abbey is a lovely, quaint village built around Sweetheart Abbey. The Abbey is unusual in that it was built in 1275 by a woman in memory of a man - by Devorgilla in memory of John De Balliol, their son John was briefly King of Scotland.

The Abbey is now largely in ruins:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psf6l2pt6o.jpg

On a walk through the village, looking back at the Abbey:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...pswsorlcqq.jpg

In the house on the left of that view there was a nice display of old bottles:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psnz5tyupg.jpg

At the other end of the village there is a Corn Mill and these houses originally were built for the miller:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psufl6knmv.jpg

On the way home this is the view across to the Lake District hills with the village of Carsethorn, the mouth of the River Nith and the Solway Firth in the foreground. The viewpoint marker said 23 miles across to England:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psafmq96w3.jpg

Some pics of the interior of the Abbey on this website:

The Lost Love of Sweetheart Abbey | Traveling Savage

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Very beautiful.

BB

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

The whole of the southwest has changed little. I hope it stays that way.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

It hasn't and one of the reasons we like it so much (apart from Mrs OzT coming from Dumfriesshire!) We've had a dire summer (I hear of Melbourne shivering in the coldest winter for a long time and we've barely had summer temperatures above Melbourne the last few months!) However we have had a few spells of still, sunny days and we're in one now thankfully.

Here's a couple more taken at Logan Botanic Gardens over on the west coast south of Stranraer. A friend is the curator so we go over there from time to time for a look. They specialise in sub-tropical plants from other countries with lots of eucalypts to make me feel at home!

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psabgnajhp.jpg

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psmvxjw6if.jpg

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Purple heather is coming into bloom:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psjrsqskgr.jpg

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

My wife lives in Crossmichael, and I know this area quite well. We visited Sweetheart Abbey a few years ago and, if I remember correctly, the mill in your photograph is still run occasionally for visitors. There's also a local belief that Devorgilla built the first bridge over the River Nith in Dumfries, although this is uncertain, and some people still refer to the stone footbridge as 'Devorgilla's Bridge'.

FWIW, Devorgilla's son John Balliol (Toom Tabard) was briefly King of Scots, rather than King of Scotland. It's not quite the same, and reflects differences between the English and Scottish systems of monarchy.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Quite right, King of Scots - you'll have to tell tourist brochures and Wiki of the subtle difference. ;) We stay in Castle Douglas so Crossmichael is very near of course. I often walk the bridges over the Nith.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Fantastic pictures. Great Britain is still GREAT in many ways. We loved the West Coast of Scotland and loved sailing there. Lake district is a natural place of everlasting beauty.

Thanks for sharing.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Thanks very much, coincidently we are going to Keswick in a few days so I'll post some Lake District photos.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Thanks will look forward to seeing them:goodpost:

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Cool photos! Scotland's really bucketlist-worthy.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Yes, the Corn Mill is open regularly under the Historic Scotland organisation and is interesting. Some Crossmichael pics - all taken from the other side of the loch in or near Balmaghie Churchyard looking across Loch Ken to Crossmichael. (The Church of Scotland closed Balmaghie Church a few months ago and the congregation now go to Crossmichael.

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psfmom4ysr.jpg

Colder times:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...ps58f00527.jpg

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Wow, brought tears to my eyes as very homesick just now and although i lived in manchester for many years before moving to new zealand, i come from Dalbeattie on the solway coast and know this area like the back of my hand. Funnily enough i was talking about sweetheart abbey just the other day. My father died three years ago now and my sister and i have a bench in his memory in Dalbeattie park. Beautiful photographs. Thank you for sharing, has made my day, even if it is with a few tears.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Thanks, I know Dalbeattie like the back of my hand too and have spent many an hour over the years in Colliston Park at the tennis club, coaching and playing. We are often through Dalbeattie as well on our travels to Kippford/Rockcliffe/Portling etc and there is an excellent new shop and cafe at Beeswing run by the Loch Arthur community which is very popular - superb home made bread!

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Lovely to know someone else knows my home town. If you are ever in the park, the bench sits over looking the boat pond towards the road and reads to our father david john johnstone. If you sit on it, think of me ...

I was born at moss road terrace, so if you go that way to sandy hills...

I look forward to more photographs, i just love them

Thank you

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Thanks, I will do that for you. Johnstone is a common Dalbeattie name (I know Douglas who is married to one of the McDonald girls and he works at Dalbeattie Finance Company which I think his father started? My wife taught him and a lot of other ones from Dalbeattie at Kirkcudbright Academy; in the days before they stayed all 6 years at DHS). A friend lives in Moss Road Terrace so know that well also! Small world and I will post some more photos.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

It is indeed a small world. I look forward to more pictures - thank you - makes me so happy to see them

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

I also look forward to seeing. Takes me back to my HAPPY sailing and touring days in that beautiful part of the world.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

By popular request here's some more photos of the area, in no particular order.

Kippford, near Dalbeattie
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psgq4yi0ll.jpg
The famous Galloway Belties - taken near Carsphairn on the northern fringes of the Stewartry
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psqe5ccjgn.jpg
Threave Castle near Castle Douglas (taken by a fellow member of Stewartry Camera Club)
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psew6bagbw.jpg
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Carlingwark Loch, Castle Douglas on a still winter's day
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3mtjt2vb.jpg
Wind turbines in the Solway Firth off the coast near Portling (hair dryers for sheep!)
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2c01b39d.jpg
Wigtown, Scotland's Book Town
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4mmqyvbs.jpg
Young lambs near Dalry
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...ps46cdcc1e.jpg
Skiddaw from Portling (Stewartry Camera Club member)
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psbe03o1s1.jpg

Stewartry Camera Club members work at:
https://thestewartrycc.wordpress.com/members-work/

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Great pic's thank you. Is the old chain ferry still working?

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Thanks, sorry, where's the chain ferry?

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Kipford, is where there used to be one many many moons ago.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Ah, no, not in our time here which goes back a long way.

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

I just might have got mixed up. Sorry :o

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I adore these photos.. I have a close friend (elderly) who lives in Newton Stewart. I love the place and its surrounding areas. I will be moving back to UK in next 2 years and open to where I live. Scotland has a strong appeal for me. I have no family so can go where I like. Thank you for the photos - made my day:)

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

d

Im pretty sure you are right, there used to be one but was a long time ago.

Oztennis thank you again, love seeing the photos. Cant wait to be back up there in april next year

Anymore you have on your travels greatly appreciated :)

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Thanks, I'm glad to share my love of this area with those who appreciate it. I'll dig more photos out and post them (hope the Mods don't take me to task for the space I'm taking up with photos). :rofl:

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Thanks, it is a lovely area and it is often said to be Scotland in miniature or the Highlands in miniature. My wife's brother and his wife live at Newton Stewart so we go regularly over that way from Castle Douglas. We really like the Machars which is the area to the south of NS, particularly Wigtown which has re-invented and revived itself as a Book Town. It has a great annual Book Festival which starts in a few weeks and many thousands descend on the town for all the things put on. There's lots of other nice places in the Machars like Garlieston, Whithorn, Isle of Whithorn, Port William and so on.

Festival website: Wigtown Book Festival - Home

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

I hope they dont either - i so appreciate it :)

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Wigtown in spring; daffodils out and cherry blossoms just coming out. The county buildings were restored from near dereliction after the town was awarded book town status by the Scottish Parliament.

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psrk4r3bnl.jpg
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psq8h8cyus.jpg

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Awesome :)

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Seafront, Garlieston (tide out!) Mull of Galloway, the most southerly point in Scotland, panorama shot looking northwards with the Mountains of Mourne, Northern Ireland just across the Irish Sea to the left and Wigtown Bay to the right. The Mull lighthouse. On a clear day like this one a week ago the old saying is that you can see the 5 Kingdoms of Scotland, England, Man and Ireland (both UK bit and the Republic). What's the 5th a person usually asks? The saying goes the Kingdom of God is above you when you look up! Fleet Bay near Gatehouse of Fleet.

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...pszoid6p6h.jpg

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8guxpoxz.jpg

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And just to digress, how about this cute shot (not taken by me):

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...s6xaepu8e.jpeg

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Omg and koalas too :)

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Balcary Bay near Auchencairn.

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...pstojjip0f.jpg

The harbour at Isle of Whithorn:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1fe6nnpp.jpg

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psfhkvwh3c.jpg

Pub in Wigtown:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psuz4ycmko.jpg

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

I know auchencairn well too

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

During an open gardens day at Corsock House, north of Castle Douglas:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...pspwukn2mp.jpg

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psp0j5badq.jpg

(I like this statue they had commissioned):

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psbh27xgra.jpg

More Galloway Belties, between Shawhead and Dunscore:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...psgg8qwepr.jpg

The Gavin Maxwell memorial at Monreith near Port William (Ring of Bright Water; otters etc). 'This place he loved as a boy and made famous as a man', overlooking St Medan golf course and looking towards the Isle of Man in the distance.

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...ps87slyqv5.jpg

Lastly, Newton Stewart Town Hall was being renovated last year, before the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and they draped the scaffolding with the flags of all the competing Commowealth nations:

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/...pstq4j8pch.jpg

Re: SW Scotland photos
 

Awesome photos again

I cant thank you enough

Has made my night :)