We returned from Brodick to Ardossan on the Cal-Mac ferry
and headed south through the town of Irvine to Ayr and Alloway
where we stayed at the Greenan Lodge B&B for two nights. The
day was spent in visiting sites connected with Robert Burns,
The National Poet of Scotland, including the cottage where
Rabbie was born January 25, 1759, the Burns' Monument, Alloway
Auld Kirk where his father is buried, the Brig o'Doon and
the Tam o'Shanter Experience. The latter features a multiscreen
film about Burns' life and a reading of his famous poem complete
with scenes of witches in the ruined Auld Kirk and one of
them called Cutty Sark chasing Tam and his mare Meg as far
as the river flowing under the Auld Brig. Witches cannot cross
running water so Tam escapes but Meg loses her tail in the
process.
At the Brig o'Doon Hotel we had dinner that included cullen
skink, haggis with neeps and tatties and wonderful salmon.
The grounds gave great views of the lovely garden and the
Auld Brig.
September 22
We drove south from Alloway along the coast with a brief
tour of the ruins of Dunure Castle and dovecote to the magnificent
Culzean Castle (pronounced Cul-lane) standing on the cliff's
edge overlooking Culzean Bay. Robert Adam, the renowned architect,
redesigned and converted the tower house (1590s) into an elegant
residence for David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis, between
1777 and 1792.
Upon entering the Castle one comes into the Armoury with
a spectacular display of weapons arranged on the walls. These
include Light Dragoon flintlock pistols, hanger swords, Heavy
Dragoon flintlock pistols and sword and bayonet blades. Especially
noteworthy among the many Adam's rooms are the Circular Saloon
with its superb view of the Firth of Clyde and the magnificent
Oval Staircase, both restored to their original colour schemes.
In 1945, the Kennedy family gave Culzean to the National
Trust for Scotland and gave the top floor to General Dwight
D. Eisenhower (for his use) as a token of Scotland's recognition
of his role during World War II. The grounds surrounding the
Castle include a walled garden, deer park and swan pond.
September 23
We headed south from Alloway, past Turnberry of golfing
fame and through Girvan while trying to catch a glimpse of
Ailsa Craig (Gaelic for Fairy Mountain) through the fog that
covered the Firth. This interesting island, a volcanic plug,
is noted for supplying the granite turned into official stones
for the sport of curling.
We continued south through Ballantrae and then east to the
ruins of the Cistercian Glenluce Abbey, which was founded
by Roland, Lord of Galloway, about 1192. The present structure
was built about 1500. We continued southeast along Luce Bay,
past Whithorn then north to Wigtown for lunch. Our visit coincided
with The Scottish Book Town Festival and we took the opportunity
to check out the books in a few of the town's 22 book stores.
We drove north to Newton-Stewart and to the Corsbie Villa
B&B. We were greeted by Charlie, a friendly orange marmalade
cat with white feet. Our hosts directed us to the Galloway
Forest Park with beautiful vistas, a field of goats and the
chance of spotting deer.
