Dumfries and Galloway 2023: Days 5-6
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.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Fairies and wood carvings, creativity at it’s best. Sort of fitting around the grounds of an Abbey.
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Love all the photos of the Abbey and the walk around the loch. 2023 certainly has some excellent memories for you both.
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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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The woodcarvings especially seem to be catching on in forested areas, parks etc.
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Ah, New Abbey. I have similar photos. We really liked our holiday in D&G even considered moving to Kirkcudbright.
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That would be a lovely place to stay. A friend’s mother lives there.
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Spending a week each in England, Wales and Scotland was a great idea. You and your husband know how to do things!
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We do! And we planned the route carefully so there was never too far between each base.
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Nice hikes and town. The blue sky is very nice…Thanks for the virtual visit! (Suzanne)
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Yes, we were luckier with the weather that day.
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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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It has. And I know, it’s easy to resent tourists – till you remember you are one yourself.
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😉
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AH yes I spotted the traffic cone!
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Copy cats!
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Love the Abby ruins and on the castle
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Yes, you can’t beat a good ruin in my opinion!
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Ruins have been my obsession since I was young….
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Nice views over the Nith estuary and I like the carvings, especially the heron, but those cows look really miserable, poor things
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I think we were probably quite miserable ourselves at that point! It was raining quite heavily. After our experience a few days before I was just glad the cows were behind a fence.
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