I woke up this morning already feeling sad that it was my last day in Wigtown. We had such a fun time this weekend. Anyone reading this blog who comes to Scotland simply must make time to come and visit Deb and Andrew at Hillcrest House. After another scrumptious breakfast, we all sat at the breakfast table and talked until it was time for tea and sweets all over again. It doesn’t get much better than that! Eventually, though, we had to break up the party. After a few last-minute photos, Candida and I hit the road for Pitlochry by way of Caerlaverock Castle.
Once more on the road, we made our way through the Galloway countryside, eventually passing through New Galloway —childhood home of one Sam Heughan. After more than an hour, we had made our way through Dumfries and arrived at Caerlaverock Castle. Caerlaverock is famous for falling after siege to Edward I (also known as Longshanks). The siege was well documented in a poem as we learned in the short presentation we viewed before walking down to the castle. Other distinguishing characteristics of Caerlaverock are that it is triangular shaped—unique in the British Isles—and that it is a 13th century castle shell with a 17th Century mansion built inside. As per her usual habit, Candida climbed all over inspecting nooks and crannies. I think it’s the writer in her—always looking for details she can use later!
Finished with our visit, we hit the motorway and headed for Pitlochry, our base for the next few days. After several hours on the road, we finally arrived in Pitlochry to find it crawling with people there to attend the Enchanted Forest light show. Ever the hostess in the know, Susan recommended that we go for dinner at the local golf course as most of the places in town would be full. Candida and I eagerly headed that way, realizing that we hadn’t eaten since breakfast. The golf course and restaurant were situated on the top of a hill with a lovely view of the mountains. Candida and I spent the time waiting for dinner catching up on some social media. It just doesn’t pay to get too far behind. 😉 Eventually we were served our delicious dinners. Fish and chips for Candida and Fisherman’s Basket for me.
Full once more,we headed to the local food co-op to stock up on some staples for the next few days. One great benefit of having a house is having a kitchen to make tea and breakfast. Groceries bought, we headed back to the house to settle in for the next few days. This is normally where I would tell you our plans for tomorrow but, in all honesty, we haven’t decided for sure. If the weather is nice, we may go to Culloden and Clava Cairns. I must say, as much as I enjoyed my time in the southwest of Scotland, I’m happy to be seeing the Highlands once more.
Slàn leat an-dràsta! (goodbye for now)
–Mandy
Great Scot! 
I knew this castle and I like it a lot. Nice photos. Thanks.
I picked this entry at random to comment on your entire trip. I spent most of this evening reading all the entries and drooling over your photos of all the places you visited and food you ate. It makes me want to go to Scotland just to eat !!!
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed ALL your entries and you’re an absolute marvel for planning the entire trip so perfectly.
Off topic, sort of, but while you were away, PBS started airing a series on Sunday nights about the great castles and estates in Scotland. The first episode featured Inverary Castle and the second was Dumfries House. Tomorrow night is another castle, can’t recall now which one off the top of my head. You can watch them all on the PBS website.
The episode on Inveraray was fascinating. http://video.pbs.org/video/2365335643/ I know you were there and I just wondered if you saw the Duke of Argyll, Campbell Clan Chieftain, working in the gift shop, which he does fairly often. I hope you’ll get to see this episode in particular because he and his wife are totally delightful.
Hi Jo Ann,
Thanks so much for reading! I didn’t see the Duke of Argyll unfortunately. You hadn’t posted it a comment on my blog before, so it was waiting for me to approve it before showing it publicly. Now that I’ve approved you, you shouldn’t have any more problems!
Mandy
(I hope this comment doesn’t post twice. Don’t think the first time went through.)
I picked this entry at random to comment on your entire trip. I spent most of this evening reading all the entries and drooling over your photos of all the places you visited and food you ate. It makes me want to go to Scotland just to eat !!!
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed ALL your entries and you’re an absolute marvel for planning the entire trip so perfectly.
Off topic, sort of, but while you were away, PBS started airing a series on Sunday nights about the great castles and estates in Scotland. The first episode featured Inverary Castle and the second was Dumfries House. Tomorrow night is another castle, can’t recall now which one off the top of my head. You can watch them all on the PBS website.
The episode on Inveraray was fascinating. http://video.pbs.org/video/2365335643/ I know you were there and I just wondered if you saw the Duke of Argyll, Campbell Clan Chieftain, working in the gift shop, which he does fairly often. I hope you’ll get to see this episode in particular because he and his wife are totally delightful.
I’ve had a blog at Live Journal since July, 2005 and I also have many friends with Word Press blogs. I ALWAYS have problems posting comments at Word Press. Don’t know why. I haven’t posted a comment in your blog while you were in Scotland, but I’ve posted many over the past year. Even at a friend’s blog where I comment the most, my comments often get caught in her moderation queue. Consequently, I never write a comment at Word Press without first highlighting and copying it in case it disappears altogether or never shows up.
I’m still in awe of all you did on your trip. It was totally amazing and I’d love to make the same trip someday, but I doubt I ever will. Fortunately, I can live vicariously through blogs, Facebook, Twitter and the travels of others.
BTW, the castle I couldn’t remember that’s featured in tonight’s episode of PBS’ Great Estates and Castles of Scotland, is Kincardine on the River Dee, near Aberdeen.
Yeah. I realized after I answered that you had posted lots of comments before. It’s weird. Glad you enjoyed the blog.
Oh, I did. Immensely.