Dundonald Castle

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Castles, Photography, The UK

We actually visited Dundonald Castle before I went away, but as I have been so busy I didn’t have the time to post it onto my blog, now as I await yet more printing – which needs to be supervised – I thought I would catch up and post this over due item.

Dundonald Castle in Ayrshire is one of my favourites. It is supposedly where King Richard II died, and he could have hardly picked a finer place to spend the end of his life. No doubt he thought so himself as it was he that instigated it’s building in 1371. It is an impressive solid, typical Scottish Castle, square and rather plain, but grand never the less. On a clear day, the views are stunning with even the distant Paps of Jura being clearly visible. It has a spectacular Great Hall which unfortunately no longer has a roof at the top, once it would have had a similar ceiling to that of the wonderful stone barrel vaulted ceiling below in the Low Hall which once sheltered Kings, Queens and Princes as they ate.

Three Castles

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Castles, Photography, The UK

Adrossan Castle was only seen from afar but is clearly visible as the red square building other pictures of it can be seen in a previous post:-

Law Castle is West Kilbride we got closer too but still didn’t have an oppotunity to visit on this occassion:-

It was to Potencross Castle we were heading. Portencross was once a harbour of some importance. Arnele Castle, and its successor, Portencross Castle was the focal point of the harbour and hamlet at Farland Head, overlooking the Firth of Clyde. Rich in history, Portencross is reputed to have been the last mainland resting place for bodies of former Scottish kings – (Kenneth MacAlpin to Malcolm Canmore) before they were ferried to the island of Iona for burial. The present castle was built in the reign of Robert II, 1371-1390. Robert II and Robert III must have been frequent visitors of Portencross, and signed many charters there as they travelled between the castles of Dundonald and Rothesay. Robert II is believed to have used the castle harbour on route to his coronation at Scone in 1371. The castle’s roof blew off during a violent storm in 1739, but its walls remain intact. Four stories high, the interior features a barrel-vaulted ceiling, two kitchens and a circular staircase, although it is not possible to get into the building and see them. Although abandoned for nearly 2 centuries it t is remarkable well preserved (although the stonework had been badly eroded by centuries of winds and sea spray), and is a tribute to the quality of materials and craftsman’s ship that was used in its building. And the icing on the cake has to be the veiws!

If you fancy waking up in the morning to those views and a castle on your doorstep and have £350+k to spare then a cottage beside the castle is for sale http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-13735693.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy if you buy it please can I come and stay!

Culzean Castle

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Castles, Photography, The UK

Culzean Castle is owned by The National Trust for Scotland and is far more than just a Castle. It was declared Scotland’s first Country Park in 1969 and has magnificent woodlands, a walled garden, a swan pond, beaches (of the sandy and rocky kind) an Aviary, various walks, it’s own Coal Gas House and of course the Castle itself which was designed by Robert Adam.

As I wasn’t on a boat I didn’t get the best view of the Castle which has to be looking up at it from just off the coast!

Ayrshire Gem

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Nature, Photography, The UK

The sun was shining the sky was blue, it was my day off.

Apart from someone having to collect my brother from the airport this evening there wasn’t anything I needed to do. So we packed up the car with a nice picnic lunch and set off for Culzean Castle (for those of you who don’t know the place it is pronounced Culain). The Castle sits on the Aryshire coast looking out towards Arran and you can see along the coast either way – there are pictures of the Castle elsewhere. It has wonderful grounds and beautiful gardens, which was were we ate our picnic. While we were eating a plant caught my eye and after wards we went to have a closer look, it was one that I don’t know, if anyone out there in blogland knows what it is I would be most grateful.

The hot house had several passion flowers including an all white one, which I have never seen before.

The Passion Flower gets its name from the Passion of Christ on the cross. The 72 radial filaments represent the Crown of Thorns. The ten petals represent the ten faithful apostles. The 3 stigma represent the 3 nails (one nail for both feet) and the lower 5 anthers represent the 5 wounds (two hands, two feet and his side).

If you are ever in Ayrshire, Culzean is well worth a visit, both young and old enjoy it. I have many happy memories of days spent there with the students when they were toddlers and my mother. Eldest student used to love clambering all over the cannons, and the youngest gazing out to sea through the windows of the oval room. I was glad that Hubby and I have now had the first of what will be many more visits there together

Adrossan Castle

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Castles, The UK

 This Castle was scene to an infamous event known as Wallace’s Larder. An English garrison was stationed at the Castle, and Wallace arranged a decoy fire in the village. When the English went down to investigate, Wallace and his followers stormed the castle. Wallace had the entire garrison slaughtered and thrown into the dungeon which then became known as Wallace’s Larder.

Does the fact that it was known as Wallace’s Larder mean he then ate them?