The fishing fleet in Kirkcudbright provided me with plenty of photos for this week’s word challenge, those ‘torture instruments’ are used for dredging scallops – I think!
It was another lovely evening and time for some exercise. We decided to take the riverside walk following the tidal waters of the River Dee up to Tongland Bridge. A three and a half mile stroll along a level path felt doable and would take us around a couple of hours if we didn’t stop too many times to take photos.
“While looking towards the north the scene is truly delightful, the banks of the river, from Tongland to the sea, being peculiarly rich in natural beauty. In the foreground is the river sparkling in the sun’s rays, and winding like a silver thread among the green meadows; while the grounds around Compstone, sloping gently to the river’s margin, are clothed with plantations of great freshness and beauty.”
~ Rambles in Galloway, by M. McL., Harper.1876.
The tree-lined Dee Walk begins at the end of the Kirkcudbright bridge and continues upstream alongside the river.
At the end of the walk several paths lead off back into town, but carry on across the open grass and then after crossing a wooden footbridge (3/4 mile) turn left and walk along the flood embankment by the riverside hedgerow.
Unfortunately it was low tide, so the walk wasn’t as picturesque as it may be when the river is in full flow. Mud banks aren’t the prettiest of things, but still it was a lovely sunny evening and the wet mud glistened silver in the late sunlight.
Several abandoned boats provided photo opportunities
And a cormorant standing out on the sand bank drying his wings
There are good views over the reed beds and the odd bench provides a rest and chance to look back at the town.
Just before the Bridge, there is an attractive strip of deciduous woodland, with some steep drops by the river side.
And finally we reached the bridge. Which proved very difficult to photograph because of all the trees and scrub in front of it. This is a Thomas Telford design with three Gothic-pointed arches. The crenellated towers and the corbelled parapets are the work of Alexander Nasmyth.
We returned to the town by retracing our steps, though we could have followed the road back as there is a roadside footpath. There we picked up some excellent fish and chips from Polarbites and took them back to our cottage to eat.
If you enjoy a walk, short or long, then you may enjoy visiting Jo’s Monday Walk where you are in for a treat.
The site of St Cuthbert’s Kirk lies in the older part of the kirkyard in Kirkcudbright. The ancient church was dedicated to Saint Cuthbert, the patron saint of Anglian kingdom of Northumbria. The town is named after it.
Rising above the town, the kirkyard can be viewed from across the River Dee and is a perfect spot to watch the sun set.
Lisa of the blog NorthWest Frame of Mind has decided to run a different project over the next 24 weeks. To try to show what is happening in different parts of the world (if you all join in) at a particular time of day. If you would like to participate you have until next Saturday midnight to post a photo or write about what is happening in your part of the world. This week is between 21:00 – 22:00. I hope you’ll join in! See links for more details.
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)
Some very interesting houses and shops:
Spectacular river views along the Dee:
Art and Creativity
Churches and Public Buildings, often in distinctive red sandstone
And what a delightful week we had, culminating in a little jazz 🙂
I will get around to writing a post about this lovely little town in Dumfries and Galloway, but in the meantime, enjoy this photo of the harbour at high tide. with a glimpse of the castle. Image taken on our first evening at around 7 pm and it has been slightly desaturated.
(click to enlarge)
TRAVEL WORDS 