Category: UK

I have visited Scotland a few times, but never Dumfries and Galloway. I’d heard good things about the region, not least that they have some good gardens on account of it being near the Gulf Stream so the climate is warm, wet and mild – i.e. no frost.

Having booked a week in Keswick for the OH’s 65th birthday, I realised how close to D&G we were going to be, so on a whim, booked a week in Kirkcudbright known as “The Artists’ Town” because of the generations of creative artists who made this their home. It is also a fishing town, though most of the catches, mainly scallops, are apparently sent to France. With its wide streets, prettily coloured houses, free parking and independent shops and many activities in the town and the area it looked like a nice place to relax.

We stayed in the High Street, in the heart of the town behind the castle and close to several art studios, art centres and art galleries.

Lots of lovely flower displays to be found down a wynd (alley or narrow lane) or pend (architectural term referring to a passageway that passes through a building, often from a street through to a courtyard)

Our garden for the week

What’s Jaspa doing here?

Some very interesting houses and shops:

Spectacular river views along the Dee:

In Memory of Loved Ones Lost at Sea

Harbour Houses and Castle

Beached Boat

River Dee towards Tongland

Bridge over the Dee

Marina

Art and Creativity

Churches and Public Buildings, often in distinctive red sandstone

Parish Church Hall

Kirkcudbright Parish Church (St Mary’s and St Cuthbert)

Formerly St Mary’s Church

Detail on a Capital

Greyfriar’s Episcopal Church of Scotland

The Scottish Co-op

And what a delightful week we had, culminating in a little jazz  🙂