Bonnie Galloway

[cessna152towser]

Ann and I have been away for that last break of the 2007 season - along the Solway Coast beyond Ferintosh to Scotland's south western extremity, the Mull of Galloway.

This is the southernmost point in Scotland.
Latitude 54 degrees 38 minutes North.

The foghorn on the Mull of Galloway

The view from the foghorn

Looking back up from the foghorn to the lighthouse.

A closer view of the lighthouse, designed by Stevenson and completed in 1830.

From the car park looking north-westwards along the peninsula.

Port Logan

Near Port Logan are the Logan Gardens, in the grounds of Castle Balzieland, a mediaevel stronghold of Macdouall.

Only one wall of the castle remains and has been incorporated into the walled garden where palms and yukkas thrive in the mild air currents from the gulf stream.
More to follow shortly.

[cessna152towser]

The gardens are well worth visiting.

Plenty of colourful flowers.

The weather chart at the gardens confirmed the very wet spell throughout May, June and July, and a further four inches of rain in the first 19 days of August, with an almost continuous fine spell of weather for the past two months.

The Gunnera Bog with woodlands beyond.

Pond

Salvia with bumble bee.

Ann in the gardens

[cessna152towser]

The following day we visited Castle Kennedy

A view of the old castle covered in vegetation.

Castles abound in this area - here is Lochinch Castle, the home of the Earl of Stair, which overlooks one of Castle Kennedy's four freshwater lochs.

While at Castle Kennedy I took a closer look at the old Royal Air Force buildings dating from World War II. My late father was stationed here from 1943 to 1945. This hangar is now in use for food warehousing.

Nearby can be found the ruins of the twelfth century Glenluce Abbey

The Abbey's visitors included Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots and King James IV.

[cessna152towser]

The reconstructed Chapter House

The Abbey once covered an extensive area.

The Abbey grounds are a place of quiet contemplation.

Reconstructed Cloisters

Another view of the cloisters

Looking up at the remaining gable

Concluding with a last poignant view of the last remaining gable.

[McMurdo]

Wonderful pictures Alex, it is staggering to me to think of the history of a place like Glenluce Abbey. Thanks for the superb photos.

[TimC]

Alex - once again, thank you for sharing such wonderful pictures.

-Tim

[starbkjrus]

Very nice pics Alex. Thanks for sharing those with us.

[pdcorlis]

Simply breathtaking!

[McFarkus]

Incredibly beautiful. I'm somewhat gobsmacked to see palm trees in Scotland.

[GMan]

As always, wonderful pictures.