Tag Archives: Scotland

Scotland by Road – April 2024

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.

Joseph Thomson’s birthplace, Penpont

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.

Visit to Edinburgh

National Gallery

As a family we paid a recent visit to Edinburgh to celebrate my sister’s 80th birthday. It was a total surprise as she had no idea we were travelling north to have lunch with her and her immediate family.

Circus Place, a hidden gem of a street in Stockbridge.
“Edinburgh’s Disgrace”, Calton Hill
Calton Hill with the Nelson Monument

Road trip to Scotland

Earlier this month I spent a long weekend in Edinburgh visiting family and spent some time visiting The Trossachs and some Fife coastal towns and villages. Here are a selection of photographs from this trip.