Unusually for me I was back in Scotland in April. Juliet and I travelled with a friend from the village for a four night stay. Three nights were spent in an AirBnB in Tradeston on the (just) south side of the river. We drove up, however, did not need the car at all. Fortunately there was plenty of parking space at the flat we rented. We visited some of what Glasgow has to offer and on our way home stayed at an hotel near Thornhill in Dumfriesshire. One highlight of the trip was a visit to Dumfries House which had been saved for the nation by the King whilst he was still Prince of Wales.

As you can see our travels were fairly eclectic ranging from culture in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the Victorian Necropolis, the oldest house in the city, a pub which has come into the 21st century as well as paying homage to the architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

The trip to Dumfries House was certainly well worth it. We had booked in advance in order that we were guaranteed a tour. Having come so far we decided to go for the full guided tour. The interior is amazing and we would certainly recommend a visit, not just to the house but to the grounds as well.

We spent the night after in an hotel near Thornhill – Trigony House Hotel. A lovely hotel set in gardens that you can walk around. It is dog friendly and several guests were there with their four legged friends. Our rooms were very comfortable and the food was excellent.

Jill was brought up in Kenya so it was fitting we had a photo stop in Penpont, Dumfriesshire to see the house where the explorer Joseph Thomson was born in 1858. Thomson’s Falls in Kenya and the East African gazelle were named after him.