Treekeeper Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Just got back from a week in Scotia we normally go up to the Highlands but this time went to Dumfries & Galloway.We stayed in a little cottage that had a brilliant garden it just ached for lots of chooks though. Most of the castles etc were all closed until April, but we saw 10 red kites up close and personal and at least 2000 Barnacle geese in one field so that made up for it. Went to Rabby Burns house and his masoleum, personally found his original grave more appropriate to the man but Hey Ho Dumfries really wanted to honour their adopted son. Had a relaxing time but I think it will be the Highlands next time! Did find a mega shop though Layers pellets £5 for a large sack, mixed corn £4 needless to say the car was loaded up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 My favourite place in the world We usually go every year and I love the fact everything is closed, we normally go in Autumn when the trees have changed colour and there is an abundance of wildlife - stag rutting season. Glad you had a good time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Where in the highlands do you normally go? We generally are shut up this way as all the visitors want to do winter sports at this time of year and then the visitors come at easter time. It is peaceful without the hordes of visitors though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treekeeper Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 We normally go up to Badachro near Gairloch, we also have family on Scorraig so lots to do usually chopping wood etc ready for next winter. We love it in October when the deer are rutting, but then we love the Highlands any time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 We've always returned to the Skye/Lochalsh area, love Applecross and Torridon. We probably will go again next year and may venture up further to Clachtoll. Furthest we've been is Gairloch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I love Scotland and we're off to just outside Ullapool in April. In recent years we've been to Laide, Plockton, Achnahanaid (nr Portree), Torridon, Galtrigill and Dorlin. We go outside of school holidays and midge season, usually in Sept, Dec, April or early May. Sometimes it's closed, but that can be the beauty of it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 We've always returned to the Skye/Lochalsh area ... Snap Have been a couple of times to Skye - only problem is the distance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 We've always returned to the Skye/Lochalsh area ... Snap Have been a couple of times to Skye - only problem is the distance! It's further for me! Perhaps we will give you a lift next time eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 I did my "Seeing Practice" in Skye one whole long hot summer and one Easter working from Broadford but our patch took in South Skye and Wester Ross. No bridge then so we used to take the ferry Only been back once so hubby and I are going up this year. One year, when my daughter was only little, I took a cottage in Findhorn and watched the Ospreys teaching their young how to fish in the bay. It was wonderful. Hubby's team have winter exercises in the Cairngorms so they get to play in the snow. I have never been, winter or summer but it is a place I would like to explore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Palmer Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hi Treekeeper, where did you stay in Dumfries and Galloway? It's my favourite place, I've been going there for 20 years and my husband for over 30. We stay in Sandyhills on the coast, it was great when the children were small as the beach was so close. The birdlife is great in the winter, especially at nearby Mersehead (RSPB) and Caerlaverock (WWT). We always go up for new year to see the geese and try to get up there at least in the summer as well. A fair few of the castles are open over winter, even if the hours are curtailed. Historic Scotland has most and some are unmanned, so you can visit any time. Orchardton is a dinky round tower in the middle of nowhere, apparently the only round one as most are rectangular. Caerlaverock is triangular, again unusual. It must be something about this area and unusual shapes! My favourite is Threave Castle, which is only open in the summer, as it's on an island and you can only reach it by boat when the river's not too high. We often take a picnic and spend a few hours there. If you're ever that way again in the summer, it's worth a visit. Galloway is beautiful too. Sorry to go on a bit, I know many parts of Scotland are beautiful, but a lot of people drive straight past Dumfries and Galloway for the Highlands and don't know what they're missing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treekeeper Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 Sorry to go on a bit, I know many parts of Scotland are beautiful, but a lot of people drive straight past Dumfries and Galloway for the Highlands and don't know what they're missing! That's what the guide at Caerlaverock said to us! To be fair it was a lovely area and I am a massive bird watcher so good times there! We stayed at Mouswald (well in a cottage just outside) it was nice and isolated but was a bit too close to the GTR if it had been a couple of hundred feet back from the road it would have been ideal. We had a relaxing hol and saw some interesting things. I would like to go again in summer but do they suffer midges like the Highlands do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 I love Caerlaverock Castle . It's a real castle with a moat 'n' everything . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Palmer Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 In all the time we've been going up there, we've rarely been midged. There have been odd attacks when we've been further inland, though I have to say although they are few and far between, they have increased in recent years. We often play hide and seek in Caerlaverock Castle, as it has so many nooks and crannies, but it can be really embarrassing when you jump out and say 'boo!' to a total stanger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 I love Caerlaverock Castle . It's a real castle with a moat 'n' everything . I have been there too and watched the birds on the mud flats in the bird sanctuary too my mother was born and brought up in galloway and its lovely place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 I take my caravan down to the Mull Of Galloway over the summer months (mostly to New England Bay near Drummore). I love it as there are no midges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenuk99 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 We have had a family van at Maryport south of Drummore for the last 40 years, its a lovely place we go every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I went to look at that site on my way to the lighthouse for lunch.......lovely spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I haven't been fro years, but last year my boss went to Dry Island and said it was wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treekeeper Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 OMG we look out on to Dry Island from the window of our house in Badachro!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Golly, talk about a small world! He waxed lyrical about it and took some wonderful photos. You're very lucky to have a place near there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Badachro looks lovely, have been to Gairloch and Poolewe when a child, don't really remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
