Dumfries and Galloway 2023: Days 5-6

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Castle Loch, Lochmaben

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!

Castle Loch walk

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!)

Lochmaben

New Abbey

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.

New Abbey houses

First we looked round the abbey ruins and its graveyard.

Sweetheart / New Abbey

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

New Abbey and Kirkconnell Merse walk

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.

Scotland, UK , , ,

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  2. Love the heron wood carving and the quoits. I’d probably be there for hours without landing one. I was sure we’d been to Sweetheart Abbey but Michael thinks I’m confusing it with Caerlaverock Castle (the same colour but it has a moat) xx

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  3. The oxymoron that “New Abbey” is in ruins!! Pretty village and countryside. Oh that cemetery and those ruins win for sure even though I have a soft spot for cows.

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  4. These re great photos! The butterfly, Faulty Towers sign, the cemetery…they are all super. What a lovely time you had and so relaxing.

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  11. I’ve been in most of those places about 20 to 30 years ago bagging hills and what I’m noticing now in your photographs is how many public works of art, wood carvings, sculptures etc there are now in all the towns and villages, down there and throughout the Scottish Highlands. In the old days you had a village, a pub, a few old buildings, and not much else to look at apart from the surrounding landscapes. Much more interesting for visiting tourists these days….although touring about then was a lot cheaper obviously. Bob. BSS.

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  15. You continue to showcase an area we really should get to know better. It’s got everything, history, idyllic countryside … the sea. And not mobbed by tourists. Pesky tourists like us!

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  16. Pingback: This week's small pleasures in Stockholm.

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