York Association of the National Trust
Dumfries
YANT Holiday Archives 2017
Holidays Organiser: Peter Drew 01904 702285 holidays@yant.org.uk
Other 2017 Holidays
Dumfries & Galloway
16th - 20th August, 2017
Holiday Review: Dumfries & Galloway
16th - 20th August, 2017
Our five day trip to Dumfries and Galloway began at Dumfries House (nowhere near Dumfries), a lovely house rescued by Prince Charles from being sold and its contents scattered. He pulled in a group of rich patrons and benefactors to save it. No expense was spared in the restoration of the house and grounds, much of the work being undertaken by local people so helping to generate work in a very depressed area, and still going on. The house contains priceless pieces of furniture by Chippendale and Scottish furniture makers. We had an excellent guide, and delicious shortbread.
We moved on to our hotel in Dumfries for two nights from where we visited Sweetheart Abbey, a beautiful ruin with a long history in the delightful village of New Abbey. At the other end of the village we had a guided tour of the working water mill. The wonderful smells of the grain and creaks and groans of the machinery made for atmosphere. Then on to Rammerscale House where we were met by the Laird in his kilt. He showed us around the house and told us of its history. It was a fascinating house- a real contrast to Dumfries house as it was quite shabby with rotting curtains and ‘lived in’ rooms! We paid our respects to Robert Burns at his white mausoleum in the churchyard in Dumfries. It is rather out of place in a graveyard full of wonderful old red sandstone headstones.
The next day we visited the Threave Estate belonging to the National Trust for Scotland. The house was unspectacular but the superb grounds are looked after by horticultural students. Then on to C18th Broughton House in Kirkcudbright, home until 1933 to one of the group of artists known as the Glasgow Boys, E A Hornel. This was a delightful house full of his paintings and with a wonderful garden going down to the Dee estuary. We moved on to our second hotel in Stranraer –a family run hotel full of character and with very good food!
We visited Logan Botanical Gardens which were a revelation as they were tropical gardens able to survive in this part of Scotland because of the gulf stream. Castle Kennedy estate was next, a colourful walled garden with a romantic ruin set in the landscape between two lochs. Then we had a quick taste of the sea at Port Patrick before returning to the hotel for dinner and a quiz.
On our last day we visited Caerlaverock castle, a great mediaeval fortress in a lovely setting. Before setting off back to York we visited the nearby wildlife centre. There was not much to see at this time of the year in this tranquil place but there was a camera trained on an osprey nest which it was exciting to see.
This was a very busy and varied few days, made very pleasurable by our Scottish guide Alistair who was very knowledgeable, friendly, professional and efficient. A great trip!
Gill Jones
Holiday Itinerary: Dumfries & Galloway
16th - 20th August, 2017
Day 1 - Wednesday 16 August 2017
Depart by coach this morning from York via A1/A66, stopping en route for lunch (not included). We continue via M74/A76 to Dumfries House, near Cumnock in Ayrshire. Its stunning interiors are home to a world-class collection of furniture by Thomas Chippendale and many late 18th Century cabinet makers, which recently featured on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow. A one-hour tour of the house is included after which there is time to explore the grounds.
After our visit, we will travel to our comfortable accommodation at the Holiday Inn Dumfries. A welcome drink followed by dinner is served in the evening.
Day 2 - Thursday 17 August 2017
After breakfast this morning we depart for a visit to Sweetheart Abbey, which was founded in 1273 by Lady Dervorgilla of Galloway in memory of her husband John Balliol. On her death, she was laid to rest next to her husband’s embalmed heart and the monks named their abbey in memory of her. Sweetheart Abbey’s conception as a shrine to human and divine love is deeply appealing. So too is its attractive setting. The graceful ruin nestles between the grey bulk of Criffel and the shimmering waters of the Solway Firth, whilst its blood-red sandstone walls contrast with lush green grass.
We will also visit the Corn Mill in the adjacent village of New Abbey. This three-storey whitewashed mill building was built around the end of the 18th century by the Stewarts of nearby Shambellie House, though the site probably reaches back to the late 13th century, when the Cistercian monks established their monastery of Dulce Cor (‘Sweet Heart’) at the far end of the village. The present mill is still known locally as ‘Monks’ Mill’. Thomas Millar is the first recorded miller, in 1825. (Due to a restriction on numbers at the Mill the group may split in two, with half visiting the Abbey and half visiting the Mill before swapping over.) Lunch is available in the Abbey Cottage restaurant (not included).
In the afternoon we continue to Rammerscales House, a fine Georgian mansion built around 1760, which is very much a home as well as an historic house. On arrival we will be met by the Laird, resplendent in kilt, and taken up to the Library where we will hear all about the long and colourful history of the house and family. This is followed by a tour of the house, learning about the links with the Jacobite Rebellion and the Battle of Trafalgar.
Day 3 – Friday 18 August 2017
This morning after breakfast we check out of the hotel and visit the house and gardens of the Threave Estate (NTS). A self-guided tour of the restored Scots baronialstyle house is included. The gardens have been largely created by students at the School of Horticulture which started here in 1960. Mature woodland of beech, conifers and oaks form the background to a large collection of shrub roses, sweeping mixed borders, dwarf heathers, peat and rock gardens, a walled kitchen garden and superbly maintained glasshouses. There will be an opportunity for refreshments on arrival (not included).
We will then transfer to Kirkcudbright where there will be time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon we will visit Broughton House - a fascinating 18th Century house and garden which was home to E A Hornel from 1901 until his death in 1933. During his time he had twice lived in Japan and his experience there influenced many of his paintings. The garden which runs down to the estuary of the Dee also shows the influence of his time in Japan and is always full of colour. An introductory talk, guided tour of the house and self-guided tour of the garden is included here.
We then continue to Stranraer and the North West Castle Hotel, where dinner is served in the evening.
Day 4 – Saturday 19 August 2017
After breakfast we depart for a visit to the world famous Logan Botanic Garden at Port Logan. Port Logan lies in the Mull of Galloway, which juts out into the sea in the extreme south-west of Scotland. The garden was started by the McDougall family who lived here for 800 years, and since 1969 it has been in the care of the Royal Botanic Garden at Edinburgh. Logan Botanic Garden is beautifully laid out, particularly in the walled garden with its fine terraces and well planned borders under an avenue of cabbage palms. The climate here is exceptionally mild and several different habitats provide conditions for a huge range of plants.
In the afternoon we continue to the spectacular garden at Castle Kennedy. This is a vast and historic piece of landscaping with the garden lying between two castles - the 15th century Castle Kennedy and the 19th century Lochinch Castle, which make splendid eye-catchers to vistas through woods and up hills. North of the old castle are the remains of the early 18th century formal gardens, while the woodland is embellished with an immense collection of distinguished trees and shrubs, large conifers and exceptional rhododendrons. The walled garden has excellent borders, and an avenue of eucryphias and embothriums.
We conclude today in the tranquil surroundings of Glenluce Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded around 1192. The remains include the south transept, a well-preserved fragment of 13th-century Cistercian church architecture and a handsome early 16th century chapter house, still roofed and complete, with fine architectural features and wonderful acoustics. An exhibition of objects found at the abbey is on display at the site.
Dinner is served back at the hotel in the evening.
Day 5 - Sunday 20 August 2017
This morning we check out of our hotel and depart for Caerlaverock Castle, one of Scotland’s great medieval fortresses. For most of its history, Caerlaverock played an important role in the defence of the realm. Long before the castle was built, the Romans built a fort on the summit of Ward Law Hill, overlooking the castle from the north. By about 950, the British lords of ‘Karlauerock’ (the name may mean ’fort of the skylark’) had built a fort on the site. Around 1220, Alexander II of Scotland, needing trusted men to secure the Scottish West March, granted the estate to his chamberlain, Sir John de Maccuswell (Maxwell), who built the ‘old’ castle. Within 50 years, his nephew, Sir Herbert, had moved to a new castle just 200m away to the north. There the Maxwell lords remained for the next 400 years. Caerlaverock’s triangular shape is unique among British castles, though why it was built this way is not known. Its attractive façade, embellished with ornate Renaissance stone carvings, contrasts wonderfully with the severity of the ancient castle walls.
Nearby is the Caerlaverock Wetland Centre, which offers an abundance of wildlife watching opportunities including a wide range of birds. Lunch is available here (not included). Following our visit we return to York, stopping en route for refreshments eg Scotch Corner.
Included in the price
- Two nights in Dumfries and two nights two nights in Stranraer.
- Visits to Dumfries House, Sweetheart Abbey, New Abbey Corn Mill, Rammerscales House, Threave House and Gardens, Broughton House, Logan Botanic Gardens, Castle Kennedy Gardens, Glenluce Abbey, Caerlaverock Castle and Caerlaverock Wetland Centre .
- Service of a Brightwater Holidays tour manager
Not included (per person)
- Single Occupancy Supplement
- Insurance