The first of a couple of sets of pictures from a holiday in Dumfries & Galloway, staying in the small town of Dalbeattie.
6th July
The tiny village of Parton, whose principal claim to fame is that James Clerk Maxwell is buried in the local kirk.
(L) The Earlstoun power station is part of a set of power stations forming the Galloway hydro-electric power scheme. These share the same striking 1930s architecture. (R) On a walk starting from the oddly named St John’s Town of Dalry.
The striking colour scheme of the Imperial Hotel, Castle Douglas.
7th July
Sweetheart Abbey (Historic Scotland) was founded in 1273 by Dervorguilla of Galloway, who was buried there when she died, along with the embalmed heart of her beloved husband. The abbey was named Dulce Cor in tribute to their patroness’s devotion.
The cornmill at the adjacent village of New Abbey (Historic Scotland).
Views of the Solway Firth.
8th July
The charming town of Kirkcudbright is at the mouth of the river Dee. Its name means “Chapel of Cuthbert”, since St Cuthbert‘s remains were kept here for seven years as part of their long journey before finally coming to rest in Durham.
(L) Broughton House (National Trust for Scotland) and (R) the quirky Stewartry museum in Kirkcudbright. The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright was a region of eastern Galloway with Kirkcudbright as its principal town. The unusual term “stewartry” refers to a region administered by a “steward” ruling on behalf of the king.
(L) Threave Estate (National Trust for Scotland), near Castle Douglas, and (R) red squirrel making the most of an enormous feeder in the grounds of Threave.