Lochmaben

On our penultimate day staying near Lockerbie we went to the Royal Burgh of Lochmaben for a walk around Castle Loch. Apart from the castle itself (built By Edward I in 1298) we saw evidence of fairies, a game of quoits, a ruined castle, wooden carvings including one of Robert the Bruce, and, because of the intermittently wet weather, some very drookit coos!

Before leaving we had a look around town which had some interesting buildings. The statue above the door of the Town Hall is Rev William Graham who died in 1887. He had been the driver behind 19th century improvements to the original building which dates from 1723. Clearly they are seeking to emulate Glasgow with the traffic cone on his head. (See Gallus Glasgow W: Wellington for details!)

New Abbey

On our final day, the sunshine returned. We headed for New Abbey, a picturesque village dominated by, you’ve guessed it, an abbey. New Abbey is also known as Sweetheart Abbey because its founder in 1273, Lady Devorgilla, is buried there with the embalmed heart of her husband, John Balliol. I was very taken with the embellishments on some of the houses.

First we looked round the abbey ruins and its graveyard.

Then we set off on a circular walk through farmland to Kirkconnell Merse and back to New Abbey via quiet lanes.

This was the end of a marvellous holiday with a week each in England, Wales and Scotland. It’s also (finally) a wrap on 2023. I still have a gap in 2024, but for now it will be back to the present.