tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63030984595937166152024-03-14T05:39:30.656+00:00The Rock-ford Files: Notes from two Scottish Coastal villagesA TASTE OF LIFE IN AND AROUND ROCKCLIFFE AND KIPPFORD ON THE SCOTTISH RIVIERA, SOUTH WEST SCOTLAND
(Not to be confused with the 70's crime caper drama series - showing my age a bit!)Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-54195139214056172302016-07-11T19:10:00.003+01:002016-07-11T19:10:26.412+01:00Corsock House - Scotlands Gardens<h2 abp="145" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">We were very lucky to grab a few hours off recently and visit Corsock House which was open for the Scotland Gardens scheme. What a treat it was. A wander though beautiful gardens, tea on the lawn and a plant sale.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thank you to the Ingall family for throwing open their garden gates to raise money for Corsock and Kikpatrick Durham Church along with the charities supported by Scotland's Gardens. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Corsock has a wonderful variety of types of designed landscape, from a formal walled garden, through richly planted woodlands. The gardens are full of different vistas.The garden has natural pools and temples.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Naturally landscaped water features and delightful surprises on the way. All setting off the Bryce baronial mansion beautifully.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ken Cox described this garden as ‘the most photogenic woodland garden in Scotland. '</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Scotland's Gardens facilitates the opening of gardens throughout Scotland with private gardens, not usually open to the public.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many glorious country house gardens participate in the programme, along with town and village gardens large and small. Fundamentally important is that each garden must have some horticultural interest and be of a certain standard.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Scotland's Gardens is a registered charity created in 1931, For more information and for other open gardens visit </span><a abp="166" href="http://www.scotlandsgardens.org/"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">http://www.scotlandsgardens.org</span></a>’</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some 200 charities, benefit annually from 40% gross of the takings that are donated to the charities chosen by owner. The remaining 60% of money raised goes to</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Queens Nursing Institute Scotland </span></div>
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<a abp="473" href="http://www.nts.org.uk/Home/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The Gardens' Fund of The National Trust for Scotland</span></a></h4>
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<a abp="475" href="http://www.maggiescentres.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres</span></a><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next open gardens in the area are ; Millhall Kirkcudbright Sunday 18 September 2:00pm - 5:00pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Crofts Kirkpatrick Durham Sunday 24 July 2:00pm - 5:00pm</span></span></span></h2>
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Millbrae House, Rockcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463393473439749154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-12610922288023004912014-06-12T10:50:00.003+01:002014-06-12T10:50:44.059+01:00Dumfries & Galloway named 2014 'Destination of the Year'
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Earlier this week we were delighted to see that Dumfries and Galloway was recognised as ‘Destination of the Year’ in the Scottish Hotel Awards. Thank you and well done to all who participated in the event and made the award possible.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Full details feature in the Scottish Hotel Awards press release below.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://scottishhotelawards.com/" target="_blank">Link to the Scottish hotel awards website</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The <i>Scottish Hotel Awards</i> is pleased to announce that this year’s ‘Destination of the Year’ is <b>Dumfries & Galloway</b>, the mantle passing from last year’s top holiday location – the Isle of Arran.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each year, in collaboration with <a href="http://www.scotlandmag.com/"><i>Scotland Magazine</i></a>, the <i>Scottish Hotel Awards</i> team choose a destination which they feel offers something particularly special to tourists, whether they are visiting from within the UK or travelling from abroad. To be named ‘Destination of the Year’ the area must not only boast fabulous places to stay & eat, but also offer tourists a wide variety of things to see & do.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A hidden corner of Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway was chosen this year on account of its strong hotel offering, warm hospitality, stunning landscape & rich culture. In particular, the <i>Scottish Hotel Awards</i> & <i>Scotland Magazine </i>teams felt that the area’s scenic beauty, history, fishing communities, Christian heritage, culture, visual arts, literature, fresh local seafood, dairy farms (famous Galloway cheese), and charming country house hotels come together to make it truly deserving of the ‘Destination of the Year’ title.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As visitors often fly direct to Glasgow or Edinburgh, or drive north through the Borders from Berwick or Carlisle, we encourage holiday-makers to ‘turn west’ and sample the myriad of pleasures Dumfries & Galloway has to offer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The title was accepted on behalf of Dumfries & Galloway by Angus Fordyce, Chairman of <a href="http://www.luxurygalloway.com/">Luxury Galloway</a> and Paula Mcdonald, Regional Director for Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders at VisitScotland. Honorary President of the <i>Scottish Hotel Awards</i>, Gary Mclean Quin commented:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>This year the whole of Scotland will be in the global spotlight thanks to major events and the Homecoming 2014 initiative. Our organisation knows Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire well but they are sadly often overlooked. The region offers availability of a wide range of high quality, good value accommodation, food and drink in an exceptionally busy tourism year.</i></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">”</span></div>
Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Dumfries and Galloway, UK54.988285 -3.857783899999958553.823837999999995 -6.4395708999999588 56.152732 -1.2759968999999587tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-91015080277116634722014-05-20T09:52:00.002+01:002014-05-20T10:00:26.125+01:00Could we soon see Pine Martens back along the Colvend Coast?<h2>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A new report has shown pine martens are starting to re-colonise the south of Scotland after being absent from most of the area for nearly 200 years</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">I love seeing Pine Martens on visits to the Highlands of Scotland so we were very excited to see this recent BBC News report last week:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Link to the BBC report here: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-27308955" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-27308955</a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"The Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) study, with The Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT), found them in three areas. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The new sites are south and west of Glasgow, the Upper Tweed Valley and Annandale and Eskdalemuir.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">VWT survey coordinator Lizzie Croose described the discovery of the rare animals as "significant".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pine martens were once found throughout the UK, but suffered a dramatic decline in the 19th century due to woodland clearance, trapping for fur, and predator control by gamekeepers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the last half of the 20th century, however, populations recovered in Scotland and are now established in most areas north of the Central Belt, including the northern fringes of Glasgow and some other parts of the Central Belt.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The species is still rare in the UK and absent from most of England and Wales.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In 1988, the species was given full legal protection.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now it has been discovered at the three new sites in southern Scotland after a lengthy absence.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A small number of pine martens were re-introduced to the Galloway Forest in the early 1980s, but the new arrivals are not thought to have spread from this group - which has remained in isolation. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These new groups of pine martens have most likely originated from "a combination of natural spread and deliberate releases".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The great news is that:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rob Raynor, SNH's mammal advisory officer, said that it was "quite likely" they would re-colonise most suitable habitats in southern Scotland in time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"At present, re-colonisation of the new areas is still at an early stage, but if breeding populations do establish successfully, pine martens will probably expand throughout southern Scotland and south into northern England," he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;">These sites are not that far away from the Colvend Coast so I hope they will re-colonise this area too. Along at Sandyhills is a hill called Wildcat Hill, so it could be assumed that the Scottish Wildcat one roamed this area too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It would be fantastic to have them here too.</span></div>
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<br />Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-52946935345321132552014-04-01T21:41:00.000+01:002014-04-01T21:44:03.046+01:00A Charming Little Tower House - Orchardton Tower<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I often find myself drawn to this little mid 15th Century circular tower house which is quite unique in Scotland. There is something special about it and its surroundings.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Its location is just off the A711 located 4 miles south of Dalbeattie, and 1 mile south of Palnackie, in Buittle parish Grid reference - NX 817 551</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Built by John Cairns,1456.The main body of the tower is 17ft in diameter and originally the main floor had two further floors above. It stands around 33ft high.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Standing Approx 33ft High</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Towers Neighbours</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For more detailed information visit </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.kirkcudbright.co/historyarticle.asp?ID=48&p=2&g=4"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.kirkcudbright.co/historyarticle.asp?ID=48&p=2&g=4</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/palnackie/orchardtontower/"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/palnackie/orchardtontower</span>/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.matthewpemmott.co.uk/2008/06/orchardton-tower-nr-kirkcudbright.html"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.matthewpemmott.co.uk/2008/06/orchardton-tower-nr-kirkcudbright.html</span></a></div>
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<br />Millbrae House, Rockcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463393473439749154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-12189693405091492762014-02-12T10:45:00.000+00:002014-02-12T10:45:38.601+00:00D&G ONE OF THE MOST ROMANTIC PLACES IN BRITAIN<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span style="color: #990000;">ROYAL MAIL AWARD D&G AND CUMBRIA AS MOST ROMANTIC PLACES IN BRITAIN .</span></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;" /><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">According to </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-Mail/108601495830418" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;">Royal Mail</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"> Facts and Figures D&G is one of the most romantic places in the country, due to the fact we send and receive more valentines cards than anyone else ! </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Royal mail calculated last year on the 13th of February they handled 32% more First class mail on the day before valentines in D&G and Cumbria than they</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"> would on a normal day !<br /><br />So not only is D&G the marriage capital with the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FamousBlacksmithsShop" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop</a> with bookings 20% up on last year for weddings in 2014. But we also have Rabbie Burns Romantic poems and Wonderful Romantic Countryside and Coastlines . So if your wanting to treat your Beloved this year on Valentines day , or any day of the year D&G is the place to be for Romance and Valentines weekend!</span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Many thanks to @DGWGO for Tweeting this.</span></span>Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com1Dumfries and Galloway, UK54.988285 -3.857783899999958553.823837999999995 -6.4395708999999588 56.152732 -1.2759968999999587tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-30930596721195705382014-01-28T19:16:00.000+00:002014-01-28T19:16:27.594+00:00Colvend - A model community<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recently found this wonderful archive on the Internet. There is lots of historic information on the area, this is a link to it:</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://archive.org/" target="_blank">Internet Archive - Texts</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Below is an excerpt from </span><br />
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<span class="x-archive-meta-title">Transactions and journal of the proceedings of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society</span></h1>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">from the 1892 - 93 session, it makes for fascinating reading. Here is a link to it if you want to read more: <a href="https://archive.org/details/transactionsjour09dumf" target="_blank">Transactions and Journals of the Proceedings of the Dumfrieshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Below I have included a section on the Parish of Colvend which included Kippford and Rockcliffe. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nowadays the name Colvend is generally held to refer to a village and not the Parish. (Although it is still the Parish of Colvend). The village we know as Colvend was originally the village of Loch End as it clustered around the Southern end of White Loch. You can still see the building that used to be the Smithty, a single story, simple barn like building that stands gable on to the road (A710). It is now used as a garage for the appropriately named Forge Cottage.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It gives a wonderful insight into the history of the area and suggests that the Parish of Colvend should be a model for other Parishes and Districts. Happy reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Colvend differs from the majority of parishes, which, as a </b></span></span><br />
<pre style="font-size: 13px;">rule, are divided, and belong to a few individuals. In many
cases a single individual owns the whole. In Colvend it is
different. At the beginning of the time with which my paper is
concerned, the parish was divided into eighteen or nineteen
properties, owned by as many proprietors or heritors. One of
these properties, the Barony of Barcloy, was held in trust by the
Kirk Session of Caerlaverock, for the poor of Caerlaverock, and
for the higher education of the children of Caerlaverock. This
gave rise to the witticism, "The poor of Caerlaverock are the
lairds of Couen." Of the eighteen or nineteen properties into
which the parish is divided, two of the larger — Fairgirth and
Auchenskeooli have changed hands, and to the former Meikle-
cloak has been added, to the latter Glensone and Ryes. Glen-
stocken, the property of Mr Carrick Moore, near relative of Sir
John Moore, the hero of Corunna, was purchased by the late
Mark Sprot Stewart of Southwick, and is now owned by his son.
Sir Mark J. Stewart, Bart. Kipp was acquired by purchase
from the Crosbie family, by Mr Chalmers, the present proprietor.
Auchenhill and Orchardknowes are owned by Lord Young, and
Clonyard by Mr M'Call. In other respects properties in the
parish, considered I'elatively to the number of owners, and to
the size of the properties, continue unchanged. The number of
landed proprietors is still nearly the .same.
The estates and properties vary much in size and value. In
one or two instances the rental touches or did touch, a few years
ago, £2000. In others it ranges between £200 and £800, and
in some instances it comes down to £50, £30, and even less.
To me this gradation in ownership has always seemed pleasing,
and in many respects desirable, and in this respect I have often
considei'ed Colvend unique. I know no other parish similarly
circumstanced as to ownership. Inseparably, indeed, connected
with the ownership of the land are the tenantry or tenant farmers
of a parish The tenant farmers of Colvend, like the proj)rietors,
rent and occupy farms of varying size, and of rents varying
according to the size and value of their holdings. Some of the
farms in the parish are wholly agricultural, but many have
attached to them portions of moorland or hill pasture, and in
one or two instances the hill and moorland pasture constitutes
the more valuable portion of the farm. The rents vary from
£100 to £200 and £300, and in one instance runs up to £600,
but this inchides two farms, one of which is known as what is
called a led farm. The others graduate down to £50 or £40.
These latter are tenanted in many cases by those who in their
early life were farm servants, or day labourers, who have been
industrious and saving, and were able to begin farming in a
small way, and on their own account. From these latter not
unfrequently spring the men who rent the largest and best
cultivated farms in the district. This also is a feature character-
istic of Colvel^d, and which I should gladly see extended to other
parishes and districts. </pre>
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<br />Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Colvend Parish, Dumfries and Galloway DG5, UK54.871689 -3.769156000000066329.349654500000003 -45.077750000000066 80.393723500000007 37.539437999999933tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-44351707669028358772013-08-20T12:27:00.003+01:002014-05-15T16:45:05.739+01:00Kippford: it's history as shipbuilding village<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's been a busy Summer here on the Colvend Coast with record temperatures in July. I guess I must apologise for blog post's being thin on the ground but I hope you will forgive us. There is so much to do around here that we haven't had a spare moment to post. What we do have is lots of material written, in the wings so to speak, and we will be posting it at intervals over the coming weeks.</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For all those who haven't managed to visit us in person this Summer here is a virtual visit you can make from the keyboard of your computer. A little web tour through the maritime history of this fascinating coast.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Following Kippford Week sailing Regatta (you can go to the Solway Yacht Club website here for results: <a href="http://www.thesyc.com/" target="_blank">The Solway Yacht Club website</a>. It's a handy site to bookmark as they have the weather forecast for Kippford and Rockcliffe on the home page) </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my thoughts turned to the sailing history of this stretch of coast and so I did a bit of research.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A fascinating resource on the history of the area is the Dalbeattie Museum Trust (<a href="http://www.dalbeattiemuseum.co.uk/home/" target="_blank">www.dalbeattiemuseum.co.uk</a>) so it seemed like a good place to start. The Dalbeattie Museum is run entirely by volunteers on charitable donations and is well worth a visit. It is loved by children and adults alike. You can find it at 81, High Street, Dalbeattie and it provides an amazing glimpse into life along the Solway Coast in days gone by.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Their website has a page on </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Harbours and Quays from Solway Firth to Dalbeattie and it makes for interesting reading. To quote from </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">their</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> web page:</span></span></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rockcliffe</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">This area was first known as "Red Bay", until 1964. Originaly a very quiet place until some houses were built, then it became a holiday resort for people out of Glasgow. There was never a jetty or quay here, as the beach was to rocky to land any vessels.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rockcliffe courtesy of Dalbeattie Museum website.<br /> </span><a href="http://www.dalbeattiemuseum.co.uk/stories/harbours-and-quays-from-solway-firth-to-dalbeattie/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://www.dalbeattiemuseum.co.uk/stories/harbours-and-quays-from-solway-firth-to-dalbeattie/</a></span></td></tr>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kippford</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em;">Kippford was a place that many ships were built in the Cummings yard. He employed 8 shipwrights and 4 apprentices. The apprentices were housed in the cottages along the front at Kippford. On a launch day the children from <span style="line-height: 21.450000762939453px;">Barnbarroch School were given the day off. </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 21.450000762939453px;">All the ship building in Kippford was done out in the open air. In the early days the ships were built side-on to the river beside Whim Cottage, later they were built on the slipway. A steam box used to steam the planks of wood for fitting to the bows and stern of a vessel, was located next to the road beside the village water pump. Next to this pump could also be found a saw-pit where planks were cut, there was also a tar kettle. The workers in the yards religiously upheld the daily visit to the hotel as soon as the sun got over the yard arm. They each had an allowance of whiskey twice a day There was also a stone jetty which was used to load and unload cargoes for the Quarry at Kippford. This is now used by the </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21.450000762939453px;">Yacht Club at Kippford.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21.450000762939453px;"> </span></i></span></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 21.450000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The vessels were loaded with chippings for Lancashire and as late as World War 2 the Caledonian Granite Company was shipping granite out of this area. Prior to 1887 the Dalbeattie road ended beside the Mariner Hotel. A large rock blocked the road to Kippford. People had to walk along the beach or up over the hill if the tide was in. 1881 was when this rock was blasted to make a through road. Mr Cumming sail loft was used as a dance hall, usually after a ships launch. Mrs Agnes Houston of Brownrigg, Dumfries, was a lady who liked to organise events for the crews of schooners lying at the port. She also organised sculling and rowing races for sailors in 1885 and presented prizes of tobacco, knives and money. </span></span><span style="line-height: 21.450000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This led to the Kippford Regatta we have today in Kippford, held every year. After Mr Cumming death the yard was taken over by Mr Collins from Birkenhead, who ran it for several years till the outbreak of the war in 1914. No ships were built in Mr Collins time but in his time of owning the yard, he was to install a motor engine into local schooner called the North Barrule, during the summer of 1909.</span></span></i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Regatta day at Kippford courtesy of Dalbeattie Museum website. <a href="http://www.dalbeattiemuseum.co.uk/stories/harbours-and-quays-from-solway-firth-to-dalbeattie/" target="_blank">http://www.dalbeattiemuseum.co.uk/stories/harbours-and-quays-from-solway-firth-to-dalbeattie/</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 21.450000762939453px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The webpage starts it's journey at Caulkerbush (Southwick) and describes each port along the coast along to Palnackie. To read the full text go to: <a href="http://www.dalbeattiemuseum.co.uk/stories/harbours-and-quays-from-solway-firth-to-dalbeattie/" target="_blank">http://www.dalbeattiemuseum.co.uk/stories/harbours-and-quays-from-solway-firth-to-dalbeattie/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.450000762939453px;">Another excellent source of information on the maritime history of the area is to be found on the Dalbeattie Town website (<a href="http://www.dalbeattie.com/" target="_blank">www.dalbeattie.com</a>). They have a page on the history of Kippford which you can access in full here: <a href="http://www.dalbeattie.com/history/kipphist.htm" target="_blank">http://www.dalbeattie.com/history/kipphist.htm</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Their section on ship building at Kippford reads:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">There had been boat repair at Kippford for a long time, but in the early 1800s there was construction of small sloops on the shore. By 1860, this was successful enough for Mr. James Cumming to take over some gardens and a section of the beach and to construct a ship, - the <strong>Try Again </strong>- over some seven years. She was followed by the construction of the <strong>Balcary Lass</strong> in 1881; the <strong>Balcary Lass</strong> was lost in 1883 on a voyage from Goole to St. John's, Newfoundland, whilst carrying coals; it is possible that the coal caught fire, as the ship was in good order.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Because of the steep and narrow beach, ships to be repaired were floated sideways onto the beach and then winched onto blocks. This launching system meant that re-launching was also sideways, a difficult procedure that once nearly damaged a newly-repaired schooner. The Cummings then laid down a proper slipway, with a cradle onto which ships could be drawn. Once in place, a capstan winch ashore could draw cradle and ship up the well-greased slipway for repairs, then assist in the careful re-launching.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The slipway was finally disposed of about 1914, as the level of shipping declined. James and his brother John Cumming died, the lease was taken over by Mr. Collins of Birkenhead, but the business dwindled to small boat repair and ended in the 1920s.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>There are still many prints of the old ships of the Urr in the 'Anchor Hotel', which was actually the shipbuilders' pub. They received a dram of whiskey twice a day as well as three shillings (36 old pence or 15p.), per day in wages. This was at a time when ordinary labourers received barely half that sum. The publican used to cover the benches in newspaper, as the shipbuilders' clothes were well-tarred from their work.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;">There is still a small recessed slip, but this is not on the line of the slipway, which was slightly farther to the north. However, the Kippford Slipway Ltd., though largely a boat-chandlers, does keep up some of the old tradition.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21.450000762939453px;">My final port of call is the wonderful website Old Kirkcudbright - Glimpses into the history of an ancient Parish and Burgh. You can access it here: <a href="http://www.old-kirkcudbright.net/index.asp" target="_blank">www.old-kirkcudbright.net</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">This site is a marvel and is described as "</span><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">A</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">n Internet Browse Through the History Topography and Genealogy of the Ancient Parish and Burgh of Kirkcudbright"</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444;"> - </span><span style="color: #444444;">The material is taken from a selection of contemporary books, magazines, documents, maps, illustrations and ephemera. I love to just dip in and browse, I always find something new to intrigue me about the area. The section on Kippford is a mine of information, and far too long to include here, but I recommend you follow this link: <a href="http://www.old-kirkcudbright.net/pages/scaur1.asp" target="_blank">www.old-kirkcudbright.net/pages/scaur1.asp</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love this opening quote "</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I have visited many villages in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but never have I come across one that could satisfy my longings in every respect, as does the Scaur with its more modern name of Kippford. True it is a place of moods and tenses. When the Estuary of the Urr is in full tide, on whose banks the village stands, and the golden sun is shining on its waters the visitor may think it a perfect paradise</i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">." </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The site describes the history and industry of the village as well as the Urr Water Fleet and has some excellent yarns of long distance voyages, shipwrecks and fine old skippers...and there are some evocative old photographs... it's well worth a visit!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-HsaGrV4ds/UhNN3jOWlyI/AAAAAAAAANE/ahvSstG0ZzY/s1600/slipway1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-HsaGrV4ds/UhNN3jOWlyI/AAAAAAAAANE/ahvSstG0ZzY/s320/slipway1.jpeg" height="252" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Kippford: Sailing vessel crossing the road on the slipway</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;">(Source: www.old-kirkcudbright.net - </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">The Stewartry Museum Collection)</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Enjoy your virtual visit to the maritime history of this beautiful coastline...</span></span></div>
Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com2Kippford, Dumfries and Galloway DG5, UK54.880050999999987 -3.814891999999986254.67739199999999 -4.1376154999999866 55.082709999999985 -3.4921684999999862tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-23393088406392997132013-05-21T00:16:00.002+01:002013-05-21T10:33:59.427+01:00Looking forward to Spring Fling 2013 - our final round up of last years event.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not long now until Spring Fling our local open studios event - </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">25th to 27th May 2013</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We never get the chance to visit all the artists during the open studios event so last year we sent out our roving reporter Lynn Watt who happily accepted the challenge and opportunity for a great day out . Thank you for sharing your day Lynn.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"One of the many charms of Spring Fling is tootling around
pretty countryside lanes and coming across all sorts of lovely venues &
varying styles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a couple of miles
of the Carsethorne coast we came across:</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ailsa Black<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Wee red boat" class="mainphoto photo" height="400" id="mainPic" name="mainPic" src="http://www.ailsablack.com/images/wee_red_boat.jpg" style="height: 400px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 400px;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wee Red Boat</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Along at Kirkbean Village Hall, with teas on offer, we found
a huge selection of original paintings, varying sizes of prints, and cards. Ailsa’s
distinctive style makes use of a strong but limited palette with powerful pops
of colour, often phone- or letter-box red (quite literally!) beautifully offset
by blue seas & skies. Taking inspiration from Scottish fishing-village
life, albeit one where a seal and seabird confer – or a sheepdog & bird
head out on the ‘Randan’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– Ailsa uses
repeat motifs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with beautiful design and
gentle humour <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to fabulous effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonderful stuff!</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.ailsablack.com/"><span style="color: #990000;">www.ailsablack.com</span></a><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ailsa-Black-Scottish.../207049749306918">www.facebook.com/pages/<b>Ailsa</b>-<b>Black</b>-Scottish.../207049749306918</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RNfQY9DZTQ4/T80FRwe7M-I/AAAAAAAAAEs/zTds7ZLTJCs/s1600/DSC_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RNfQY9DZTQ4/T80FRwe7M-I/AAAAAAAAAEs/zTds7ZLTJCs/s320/DSC_0851.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ailsa Black's Art at Kirkbean Village Hall</span></td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Val Macadam</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="starry kippford night" height="130" id="gallery360661_9311013" src="http://www.valmacart.com/images/Starry_Kippford_Night_2_thumb1_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="130" /> <img alt="wee daisies" height="130" id="gallery360661_8942901" src="http://www.valmacart.com/images/weedaisies_3_thumb.jpg" width="130" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Starry Kippford Night and Wee Daisies</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">White geese transforming into white sheets on a washing line,
the black & white markings of a cow called Daisy merging with daisies in
the field! Val’s eye for soft colours, pattern and quirky humour work
brilliantly with her skilled detailing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And never more so than in her delightful
village- & town-scapes, capturing local scenes in infinite detail or
much-loved homes and gardens for personal commissions. We can see where Val
gets much of her inspiration -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>her
lovely cottage, which she turns into a gallery for the Fling, has fabulous
views of the Solway, is surrounded by fields and her gorgeous cats, who often
feature in her<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Wee prints’ and cards,
were posing to order! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sadly Val is not opening her studio this May but you can view her work</span> <span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">at</span> </span></span><a href="http://www.valmacart.com/"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">www.<b>val</b>mac<b>art</b>.com</span></a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/valmacadamart"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">www.<b>facebook</b>.com/<b>valmacadam</b>art</span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_UJvYCjyHc/T80G33MtulI/AAAAAAAAAE0/0o2vBUaRj1g/s1600/DSC_0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_UJvYCjyHc/T80G33MtulI/AAAAAAAAAE0/0o2vBUaRj1g/s320/DSC_0855.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Val Macadam's Studio Entrance</span></td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lettie Blackett<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #134f5c; color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lettie’s studio is a relaxed, easy-going space; ancient, rough stone walls with glimpses of garden beyond, decorated with fabulous flowers. And paintings & mixed media!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved the Indian paintings which capture the tremendous colour and speed of Indian street life, but with a magnetic stillness around the central figures. Lettie hopes to return to India soon to gather more inspiration – already looking forward to seeing the results next year."</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.lettieblackett.com/"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">www.<b>lettieblackett</b>.com/</span></a> <br />
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<strong><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can find out all about this years Spring Fling at </span><a href="http://spring-fling.co.uk/"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://spring-fling.co.uk/</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">With 93 visual artists, makers and designers participating in this great event.</span></strong><strong></strong><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Submitted by</span> </span>Lynn Watt busy Editor and manager of luxury BirchLea Holiday Lodge Kippford.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.birchlealodge.co.uk/"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">www.<b>birchlealodge</b>.co.uk</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Art work shown with the kind permission of Ailsa and Val. All art work and photos are copywrited.</span></div>
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Millbrae House, Rockcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463393473439749154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-14860454420246036822013-05-09T20:13:00.001+01:002013-05-09T20:13:12.947+01:00Threave Castle Home of Archibald the Grim and Ospreys.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">I have always enjoyed the short walk down to Threave Castle . As a child, I always ended up running there with great excitement at the opportunity of ringing the custodians bell to call the ferryman before my sister</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I just loved the little boat ride over the river Dee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="background-color: white;"> In those days it was a rowing boat now its a much quicker journey with an outboard motor so sea sickness tablets are not necessary.</span></span></span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Crossing the River Dee to Threave Island and Castle</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now its more of a wander down the path and an opportunity to learn more about the fascinating history of the area and spot wildlife. I spotted two deer on this walk.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This trip was prompted by hearing the news that two Osprey a male and female had returned to the nest near the castle so I waited in the hide in anticipation There are five hides along the river and marshes and there is often a RSPB volunteer on hand who can give you lots of information. This time I was unlucky but have had reports from our guests who have seen them. I have been trying to find out if there are any eggs yet but have not heard.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you are interested in Ospreys you can keep up to date by following the National Trusts Blog for Threave Estate.</span></div>
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<a href="http://dandgrangers.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">http://dandgrangers.blogspot.co.uk</span>/</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7CgqQeq6ATE/UWQv8ZzSBHI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/cC_ipXczDQA/s1600/Archibold+the+Grim+Castle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7CgqQeq6ATE/UWQv8ZzSBHI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/cC_ipXczDQA/s320/Archibold+the+Grim+Castle.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The hard working NTS Staff have really made a difference on the Estate managing 1500 acres, laying paths, planting trees, encouraging wildlife and building hides. Earlier this year work was carried out to ensure the Osprey platform was secure and safe.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Threave Estate was designated as Scotland's first Bat Reserve in 2010 with seven species recorded. There are two Bat trails around Threave Gardens and Kelton Mains. Bat detectors are available to hire from Threave Gardens visitor centre</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To learn more about Threave Estate and Gardens</span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Threave-Estate"><span style="color: #990000;">http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Threave-Estate</span></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5WBdWIyh98/UWQwHZ5_nLI/AAAAAAAAARI/Yanb1zMu4pk/s1600/Boat+Jetty+100+Yards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5WBdWIyh98/UWQwHZ5_nLI/AAAAAAAAARI/Yanb1zMu4pk/s320/Boat+Jetty+100+Yards.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A thousand years ago Threave Island was said to be the home of the ancient rulers of Galloway. The tall, forbidding tower that now dominates the island was built for Sir Archibald Douglas in 1369 and is all that remains.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sir Archibald had recently become Lord of Galloway, but is better known as Archibald ‘the Grim’. His Father had been King Robert the Bruce's friend during the Wars of Independence against England. Archibald continued that fight. The English gave him the name The Grim due to his frightening appearance in battle.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> In 1400 he died at Threave and was by then the 3rd Earl of Black Douglas, the most powerful magnate in Southern Scotland.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When James II tried to overthrow the over-mighty Black Douglases about half a century later, after a two-month-long siege at Threave, the island stronghold reverted to the Crown.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am always delighted to see Dumfries and Galloway in the National Press and receive recognition for being such a wonderful area and here is an article on a walk around the Estate published in The Guardian.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>may/13/castle-douglas-and-threave-Galloway-walk</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Threave Island was also recently listed in UK'S Tiny Islands Top Ten Hidden Gems </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2013/may/03/uk-tiny-islands-10-hidden-gems"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2013/may/03/uk-tiny-islands-10-hidden-gems</span></a></div>
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The Island is managed by Historic Scotland for details of opening times please visit their website</div>
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<a href="http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_288"><span style="color: #990000;">http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_288</span></a></div>
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<i style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">© All images and video subject to copyright - not to be reused, copied or altered without written permission</i><br />
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Millbrae House, Rockcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463393473439749154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-69121295002540358292013-03-25T11:04:00.004+00:002013-03-25T11:04:41.225+00:00Making the most of a snowy weekend <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week-end has been a real treat: </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Being at sea level we don't usually get much snow along the Colvend Coast and so we got out there and enjoyed it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although areas over higher ground had more, in Kippford, Rockcliffe and Sandyhills we had about 6 inches of lying snow with drifts to around a foot high. On Friday we were snowed in after heavy, constant snowfall throughout the day but, not to be deterred (and having an impatient collie reminding us it was time for 'walkies') we got togged up and walked along a snow covered, almost traffic free A710, then out over the sands at low tide. It was bracing to say the least but very exhilarating. We felt a bit like Scott in the Antarctic as on the return we were walking into biting winds and falling snow but hot chocolate and a good movie curled up on the sofa afterwards made a great reward.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Saturday was overcast and felt very cold due to the strong winds but as the roads had cleared a bit we just wrapped up warm and snug and headed out for RSPB Mersehead.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Due, no doubt, to a </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">desperate</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> search for food we had good views of Snipe, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrushes, Blackbirds and of course the geese. This video clip shows a very excited collie on the beach enjoying the expanse of virgin snow. Yes, it was pretty windy but not nearly so bad as the sound on the video clip suggests!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Sunday things were very different, the roads were clear and we had a bright sunny day so a walk around Rockcliffe was in order. Here are a few of the photos!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Very artistic!</i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TkFF4DpBCUU/UU90I_XTXrI/AAAAAAAAAQM/6kslGz6vXiE/s1600/Coastal+Path+Gorse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">The glorious yellow and coconut/vanilla scent of the Gorse contrasted beautifully with the crisp snow and blue skies and made a memorable sight.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The snow doing it's best to blanket the Gorse blooms</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rockcliffe beach doing a good impersonation of a Christmas card</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">The dogs had a great time racing around on the beach but poor Hamish (a Sproodle puppy) had problems with snow balling up in his fur so had to be carried home for an early bath!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Looking across to Rough Island with Rascarrel in the background</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">One of the great things about walking the dogs in the snow is that instead of having to wash off mussy paws or brush sand out of long coats they come back clean and sweet smelling. Just a brisk rub with a towel and they're done.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Walking in the snow is soooooooooooo exhausting!</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">However, it's not been good for everyone this weekend. I know that there will be many people across the region, especially those living further West</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"> in places like New Galloway and Newton Stewart, gnashing </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">their</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> teeth reading this, as roads have been closed and many homes have been without power. Our sympathy goes out to them as they have has a difficult time (particularly those caring for livestock which is never easy in deep snow). Also birds and wildlife will have suffered. We have reports of a Little Egret casualty along the frozen shores around Kirkcudbright Bay which is a real shame. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">Here along the the Colvend Coast we were lucky to have just enough snow to make it picturesque, so we got out there and made the most of it. It's thawing rapidly now and the roads are clear with traffic moving easily so it's back to normal!</span></div>
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<i style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">© All images and video subject to copyright - not to be reused, copied or altered without written permission</i></div>
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Millbrae House, Rockcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463393473439749154noreply@blogger.com0Colvend Coast, Dumfries and Galloway, UK54.86263159527612 -3.776198343750024854.789526095276123 -3.9375598437500248 54.935737095276117 -3.6148368437500249tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-46981986182420419872013-03-12T09:53:00.000+00:002013-03-12T09:53:36.014+00:00Mull of Galloway: just had to share this fantastic story<br />
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'Scotland's Land's End'</h1>
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nature reserve plan </h1>
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backed by locals</h1>
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<a class="hidden" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-21741256#story_continues_1" style="color: #4a7194; font-weight: bold; left: -5000px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; top: -5000px;">Continue reading the main story</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65147000/jpg/_65147356_215813_ca772504-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mull of Galloway" border="0" height="171" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65147000/jpg/_65147356_215813_ca772504-1.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; border: 0px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0px; position: relative;" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: start;">The Mull of Galloway Trust balloted residents in the area, garnering 98% support</span></td></tr>
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Scotland's most southerly tip could become a nature reserve <span style="font-size: 1.077em;">after local residents almost unanimously backed a proposed community buy-out.</span></div>
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A local trust is confident of raising the £300,000 asking price for the Mull of Galloway, mainly through the government's Scottish Land Fund.</div>
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The Northern Lighthouse Board is selling the 30-acre site as part of an asset disposal programme.</div>
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Its lighthouse tower is not included in the sale and will continue to function.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/66315000/jpg/_66315482_1010214-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="RSPB Mull of Galloway" border="0" height="171" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/66315000/jpg/_66315482_1010214-1.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; border: 0px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0px; position: relative;" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: start;">The lighthouse tower is not part of the sale and will continue to function</span></td></tr>
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The Mull of Galloway Trust was set up to secure the site, which includes cottages and other buildings, as a nature reserve and tourist attraction.</div>
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However, it needed to demonstrate community support to attract funding.</div>
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In a ballot of 541 local residents, 347 votes were cast, with only three voting against the proposal and two papers being spoiled.</div>
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That represents 98.5% support on a 63.8% turnout.</div>
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The trust's next step is to prepare a business plan and formal funding application.</div>
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It has said it wants to preserve the area as "a place of beauty", "a place of tranquillity" for locals and visitors and to avoid any possibility of commercial exploitation of "Scotland's Land's End".</div>
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<span style="color: #505050; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-21741256</span></div>
Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Mull of Galloway, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, United Kingdom54.634538369609167 -4.868526087499958554.561052869609171 -5.0298875874999585 54.708023869609164 -4.7071645874999586tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-72147592645997849352013-03-09T09:53:00.001+00:002013-03-18T17:16:28.794+00:00A great walk for spectacular views: Mark Hill, Rockcliffe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: start;">Spring is here so it's time to dust of your walking boots and get out there.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: start;">We highly recommend this walk to guests at the start of their stay, especially if they are new to the Colvend Coast, as it gives you a really great view of the local area so you can orientate yourself.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Mark Hill Walk - Forestry Commission</span> <span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Scotland</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"></span><span style="color: #990000;"></span><span style="color: #990000;"></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEXNk2ZvfjE/USFTqERRlwI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Uowid7Mjxak/s1600/DSC_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEXNk2ZvfjE/USFTqERRlwI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Uowid7Mjxak/s320/DSC_0422.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Kippford and the Urr Estuary From Mark Hill</i></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time - allow about 25 min's each way and time to take in the view.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Distance Approx 2 Miles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shoes - sturdy, comfortable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Difficulty - Moderate, A short walk on forestry paths but rough terrain and steep, rocky path up and down Mark Hill. </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Path made up of gravel road, wood chip, rocks, boulders. Muddy in Winter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why do it - Amazing view</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foN2va9LAu4/USFUSE4prRI/AAAAAAAAAPk/uKu52xF9hOs/s1600/Rockcliffe+Bay+towards+Castle+Point.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foN2va9LAu4/USFUSE4prRI/AAAAAAAAAPk/uKu52xF9hOs/s320/Rockcliffe+Bay+towards+Castle+Point.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Rockcliffe and Castle Hill Point from Mark Hil</i>l</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Start: From Rockcliffe car park turn left down the road (footpath) and walk down the hill towards the beach. Follow the road and go about threequarters of the way around the curve of the bay.</span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Where a lane joins the road at a 90º angle, turn right (signposted to Barons Craig Hotel) and then left at the T junction towards the Barons Craig Hotel (closed this year for maintenance ). </span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walk along the path flanked by stone walls until you come to a 5 bar gate and clearing in the woods. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here you have four other path choices, you need to take the third exit. First left takes you to the Mote of Mark, second left (straight on) is the Jubilee Path to Kippford. Take the next path which is a gravelled forestry road (3rd Exit ) to the left of this road there is a Forestry Information Board with the Mark Hill Walk outlined on it. This walk detailed on the board is longer and two miles from this point. Great for the more energetic.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IwQM6eRrXI/USFPoktTXzI/AAAAAAAAAPE/psj5tL7p5Qk/s1600/A+Walk+in+the+Woods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IwQM6eRrXI/USFPoktTXzI/AAAAAAAAAPE/psj5tL7p5Qk/s320/A+Walk+in+the+Woods.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Forest Path opening out at Mark Hill</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walk up the Forestry Road about 4 min's (few hundred yards) and at the blue marker on the left turn left again on a forestry road. As I write this there is a lot of work being done on these roads but the work should be completed soon. Please adhere to all route closures and diversions for your own safety.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_MyVIbF6v8/USFQ2TX_NQI/AAAAAAAAAPM/vIZLY_GKJ5s/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_MyVIbF6v8/USFQ2TX_NQI/AAAAAAAAAPM/vIZLY_GKJ5s/s320/DSC_0369.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Blue Forestry Marker and Path to Mark Hill</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walk up this hill for about 10mins and you will see a small path leading in to the forest. Turn left at blue marker in to the Fir trees</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUUrtkHIf0Y/USFTJdk997I/AAAAAAAAAPU/y3Yd3HJ9aHo/s1600/DSC_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUUrtkHIf0Y/USFTJdk997I/AAAAAAAAAPU/y3Yd3HJ9aHo/s320/DSC_0376.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>A beautiful February Day</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The path starts to get a bit rocky and a bit of a pull but you will soon be rewarded by the view</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXIskwVcm9M/USFU0NJLa4I/AAAAAAAAAPs/3qgxFZuACKs/s1600/DSC_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXIskwVcm9M/USFU0NJLa4I/AAAAAAAAAPs/3qgxFZuACKs/s320/DSC_0428.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>West to Glen Isle</i></span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the top of the hill follow the plateau to the left (South) and it will start to go downhill. This path is quite rocky so take care. Once at the bottom you join the Jubilee Path and can turn left back to Rockcliffe and the car park or right towards Kippford.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcVebTMJjXc/USFVgMHmWMI/AAAAAAAAAP0/xqTQ_-dbEGA/s1600/DSC_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcVebTMJjXc/USFVgMHmWMI/AAAAAAAAAP0/xqTQ_-dbEGA/s320/DSC_0454.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Jubilee Path towards Rockcliffe</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> All photographs copyright - © L Birdsall, Millbrae House</span></div>Millbrae House, Rockcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463393473439749154noreply@blogger.com0Mark Hill, Colvend Coast, Dumfries and Galloway, UK54.871004219409215 -3.8010885260254154.861866219409215 -3.8212585260254097 54.880142219409215 -3.78091852602541tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-16909517320272570092013-03-09T09:25:00.000+00:002013-03-09T09:25:28.424+00:00The first sign of Spring at Sweetheart Abbey<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;">Last week I spotted what must be the first signs of Spring: a people carrier full of visitors getting out of their vehicle at Sweetheart Abbey! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I was driving to Dumfries on a glorious, clear, crisp Spring day and has chosen to take the coast road (the A710), which is my favourite route as the scenery is stunning, when I spotted them as I turned the bend next to the Abbey Tea Room in New Abbey.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">How did I know they were visitors? Well the walking gear, cameras and binoculars were a hint, but the reason they caught my eye was that, even whilst getting out of their vehicle, they were </span><span style="text-align: center;">already</span><span style="text-align: center;"> staring with wonder and awe at the towering red sandstone walls of the Abbey. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkAywA-ut_A/UTr4gAFmQ3I/AAAAAAAAAMI/9SufrhvXEE8/s1600/abbey+closeup.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkAywA-ut_A/UTr4gAFmQ3I/AAAAAAAAAMI/9SufrhvXEE8/s320/abbey+closeup.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>View of Sweetheart Abbey from the carpark next to the tearoom</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">Their total focus was the amazing and evocative building in front of them, everything else was being done on auto setting. It reminded me of my first sight of this amazing place, not without a whiff of nostalgia I have to add, and reminded me that it is easy to take these spectacular places for granted and to forget that unique feeling you get when seeing something truly amazing for the first time. I have to admit I felt envious of them experiencing the Abbey, for probably, the first time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: center;">And Sweetheart Abbey really is amazing as it is a </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">place of personal devotion and a monument to the love of one person for another. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">In 1268, Lord John Balliol, husband of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Lady Dervorgilla of Galloway, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">died. His grieving widow had his heart embalmed and placed in an ivory casket which she carried with her constantly.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">Lady Dervorgilla </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;">undertook many charitable acts in his memory but the most significant must be founding of the Cistercian abbey of Dulce Cor (Latin for ‘Sweet Heart’) in 1273. When </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Lady Dervorgilla</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14px;"> died in 1289, she was laid to rest in front of the abbey church’s high altar, with her husband’s heart to her bosom.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDAIuLyD3G0/UTr4RKGymqI/AAAAAAAAAME/Zec18eeD6TM/s1600/DGTBVS_SWEETHEARTABBEY.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDAIuLyD3G0/UTr4RKGymqI/AAAAAAAAAME/Zec18eeD6TM/s320/DGTBVS_SWEETHEARTABBEY.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>View of Sweetheart Abbey from a distance</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Sweetheart Abbey’s conception as a shrine to human and divine love is a deeply appealing concept as is its attractive, rural village setting. The imposing ruin nestles between the grey bulk of Criffel to the West and the shimmering waters of the Solway Firth to the South, whilst its dark red sandstone walls contrast with the lush grass of the pastureland at their feet.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">For more information on Sweetheart Abbey follow these links:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><a href="http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=pl_283&PropName=Sweetheart%20Abbey" target="_blank">Historic Scotland - access information and prices</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cistercians.shef.ac.uk/abbeys/sweetheart.php" target="_blank">History and background</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Spring is definitely here it's a good time to be thinking of getting out and about with the walking boots on so the next post is a great walk for orientating yourself along the Colvend Coast, great views and yes, a bit of a climb, but well worth it!</span><br />
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Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Sweetheart Abbey, New Abbey, Dumfries and Galloway, UK54.98026178423008 -3.619231481445353954.977983784230084 -3.624273981445354 54.982539784230077 -3.6141889814453538tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-10529039248287651332013-02-24T14:09:00.000+00:002013-02-24T14:09:07.402+00:00Happy Birthday to the Rock-Ford Files<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>It came as a huge surprise that, as of 11 Feb, we have been writing the Rock-Ford Files - Kippford and Rockcliffe blog for one whole year... so I hope you will join me in singing 'Happy Birthday' to the blog!</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0GFIOrxHjM/T7PTz8SkfCI/AAAAAAAAAHA/6mth7NFmHBE/s1600/RVL+squirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0GFIOrxHjM/T7PTz8SkfCI/AAAAAAAAAHA/6mth7NFmHBE/s320/RVL+squirrel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This iconic wee cutie is seen regularly at Millbrae House or Riverview Lodge by guests. Red Squirrels seem to love it around the Colvend Coast and we are understandably proud that they choose to live here. (Could be something to do with the well stocked nut ad seed feeders)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seemed that we should mark the occassion in some way so I thought I would change the type face to a more modern one and report on the success of the blog and key milestones</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The blog now has 15 followers (Hello to you all and thank you for following, please encourage your friends and family to follow suit) and is read by lots of others on an ocasional basis world wide... YES! world wide, as this latest breakdown of recent readers shows.</span><br />
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United Kingdom</div>
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39</div>
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United States</div>
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14</div>
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China</div>
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2</div>
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Germany</div>
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2</div>
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France</div>
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1</div>
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Russia</div>
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Sweden</div>
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Ukraine</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This came as a (very pleasant) surprise to us as we thought that interest would be mainly from the UK. So a very special 'hello', hi y'all, 你好, привет, bonjour, guten tag, Hallå, Привіт</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to anyone reading from outside the UK. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are all-so celebrating another milestone. We have just hit 4000 page views </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and averaged over 330 visits a month</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past year we posted 48 posts on a wide range of subjects from walks, recipes and events to concerts, local celebrities and charity fund raising, which included some lovely images of the area, who knows what we will be writing about this year? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Mersehead Sands with the dune system in the foreground and Castle Point, Rockcliffe in the distance.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our aim this year is to achieve at least one post per week (as you can imagine things slide a little around out busiest times of year) and we have some interesting and informative ideas in the pipeline including more local walks, recipes and events.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With 2013 being the Year of Natural Scotland and 2014 being Homecoming Scotland we have plenty of scope and are looking forward to welcoming lots of new visitors to the area!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB_xW84VFRs/T8qmAfwAahI/AAAAAAAAAII/rYr3RxAZrsY/s1600/KTR+From+North+looking+South+on+Screel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB_xW84VFRs/T8qmAfwAahI/AAAAAAAAAII/rYr3RxAZrsY/s320/KTR+From+North+looking+South+on+Screel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking North from the peak of Screel.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have any thoughts on the blog, would like to contribute to a post or simply get in touch please do, it would be great to hear from you.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Editor</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NOTE: </span><i style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">All images are copyrighted. Not for use or publication without written permission.</i>Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Colvend Coast, Dumfries and Galloway, UK54.870498364678006 -3.806085419726514454.833941364678005 -3.8867664197265146 54.907055364678008 -3.7254044197265141tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-21393162397180356872013-02-16T14:38:00.000+00:002013-02-17T18:30:46.637+00:00Enjoy Dumfries & Galloway with some of the best access rights in the world<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>As outdoor enthusiasts we are very lucky, here in Dumfries & Galloway, to enjoy some of the best access rights in the world.</i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Which is fantastic for the many people who come here to enjoy the amazing biodiversity and recreational facilities Dumfries & Galloway has to offer. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives the public the right to be on most land and inland water for recreation, education and going from place to place, providing they act responsibly.</i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Scottish Outdoor Access Code"</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> (as it's known) </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">provides guidance on access rights and </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">responsibilities but it is not in it'self an authoritative statement of the law, although it </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">has been approved by Ministers and the Scottish </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Parliament. As I understand it, the code is more of guidelines that, if followed, help you observe the law and are an example of good practice when out-and-about in the countryside.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many of our guests are keen walkers, birders, cyclists or dog owners and most come from outwith Scotland. As Scottish access rights are different to other countries they are often hesitant when going out and about, as I was when I first came here. </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I grew up</i></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>in Yorkshire where the only option to explore the countyside was to use a permissive footpath</i></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> so although I love the freedom, I am still sometimes uncomfortable 'roaming free'. With this in mind I looked up the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Scottish Outdoor Access Code when I moved here and always </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">check my rights over my chosen route before I go.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Guests often ask about the Scottish right to roam when exploring our beautiful countryside so I thought it would be a good idea to do a post about the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000;">Scottish Outdoor Access Code"</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> as a handy reference. This is just intended as a quick overview, there are links to official publications at the bottom.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Land Reform </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (Scotland) Act 2003</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> gives you the right to enjoy:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">• Informal pastimes such as walking, camping, picnicking and sightseeing</span></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">• Active pursuits including cycling, mountaineering, canoeing and horse riding</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">• Dog walking, provided your dog is under proper control</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">• Taking part in recreational and educational trips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">• Simply going from one place to another</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">NOTE: Motorised activities (unless for disabled access) and hunting, shooting and fishing are </span><span style="color: #990000;">NOT</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> included.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>... over most of Scotland including:</b></span></div>
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• Urban parks</div>
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• Hills and woods</div>
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• Most grass fields and field margins</div>
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• Beaches</div>
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• Lochs, rivers and canals</div>
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<i><span style="color: #134f5c;">However, in the interests of safety and to encourage goodwill between the public and to land owners and managers, it is equally important to note the places where you </span><span style="color: #990000;">CAN NOT </span><span style="color: #134f5c;">exercise this right.</span></i><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><i>The main places where access rights do not apply are:</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i>• houses and gardens, and non-residential buildings and associated land</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i>• land in which crops are growing</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i>• land next to a school and used by the school</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i>• sports or playing fields when these are in use and where the exercise of access rights would interfere with such use</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i>• land developed and in use for recreation and where the exercise of access rights would interfere with such use </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i>• golf courses (but you can cross a golf course provided you don’t interfere with any games of golf)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i>• places like airfields, railways, telecommunication sites, military bases and installations, working quarries and construction sites</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><i>• visitor attractions or other places which charge for entry</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The Code:</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is based on three key principles which apply equally to both parties, the public and land owners or managers. These are simply, in my opinion, basic common sense and are second nature to most countryside lovers/users and wildlife enthusiasts so are not onerous to abide by.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Respect the interests of other people.</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Which means acting with courtesy, consideration and awareness. If </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you are exercising access rights, make sure that you respect </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the privacy, safety and livelihoods of those living or working </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the outdoors, and the needs of other people enjoying the </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">outdoors. If you are a land manager, respect people’s use of </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the outdoors and their need for a safe and enjoyable visit. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Care for the environment.</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are exercising access rights, look after the places you visit and enjoy, and leave </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the land as you find it. If you are a land manager, help </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">maintain the natural and cultural features which make the </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">outdoors attractive to visit and enjoy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Take responsibility for your own actions. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are exercising access rights, remember that the outdoors cannot be made risk-free and act with care at all times for your own safety and that of others. If you are a land </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">manager, act with care at all times for people’s safety.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are also places where, although not specifically excluded, you are expected to exercise basic common sense; these include bird nesting sites </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">such as wetlands and shingle beaches which </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">should be </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">given a wide berth</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> during the breeding season in late Spring. </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An example of this locally is </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rough Island (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">an island bird sanctuary just off Rockcliffe/Roughfirth with nesting oystercatchers and ringed plovers.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">) </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> There are signs asking people not to visit </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">during the breeding season in May and June.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">I hope that this post is useful as knowing the code gives me the confidence to explore freely.</span><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">You can get more extensive guidance and download several documents here:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/access-code-and-advice/soac/" target="_blank">The Scottish Outdoor Code website</a></div>
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These include:</div>
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<a href="http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/B621366.pdf" target="_blank">The Scottish Outdoor Code Summary Leaflet</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A309336.pdf" target="_blank">The full Scottish Outdoor Code</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>I hope this helps you to enjoy the wonderful diversity Dumfries & Galloway has to offer to the full, particularly in this Year of Natural Scotland</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: Scottish Natural Heritage - <a href="http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/" target="_blank">http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/</a></span></i></div>
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<br />Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Scotland, UK56.490671199999987 -4.202645800000027547.769040199999985 -24.856942800000027 65.212302199999982 16.451651199999972tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-40928705676519169572013-01-23T16:10:00.002+00:002013-01-23T16:25:02.489+00:00It's Farmhouse Breakfast Week!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Join us by celebrating Farmhouse Breakfast Week until the 26th January</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Farmhouse Breakfast Week is an annual celebration championing the importance of breakfast aiming to get the nation to Shake Up Their Wake Up! Instead of skipping breakfast the campaign aims to get the 47% who go without to enjoy a heathy breakfast more regularly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Running a B&B we know how our guests really do relish a good farmhouse breakfast...</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and taking time out to enjoy it.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKoR4py-NXc/UP_zSUAO7QI/AAAAAAAAAMs/z8SLz99nQNc/s1600/Eggs+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKoR4py-NXc/UP_zSUAO7QI/AAAAAAAAAMs/z8SLz99nQNc/s320/Eggs+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>Eggs from the small Millbrae flock</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">purpose of the </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">week is to raise awareness of the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast and show-case the wonderful ingredients produced in the UK, e</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ncouraging us to eat local and shop local.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjB1g7Rk23Q/UP_0J3SgnaI/AAAAAAAAAM4/72s36TLeMYs/s1600/DSC_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjB1g7Rk23Q/UP_0J3SgnaI/AAAAAAAAAM4/72s36TLeMYs/s320/DSC_0703.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>A good start to your day - our breakfast buffet</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our Scottish farmhouse breakfasts include our own eggs, Ayrshire bacon, award winning Haggis and sausages from our local butcher and locally produced preserves and yogurts... to name just a few key ingredients.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are lucky that here in Dumfries and Galloway </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we have a great local larder</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and many artisan producers such as:</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> The Earths Crust Bakery </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><cite><a href="http://www.earthscrustbakery.co.uk/">www.<b>earthscrustbakery</b>.co.uk</a></cite></span><br />
<div class="s">
<div class="esc slp" id="poS0" style="display: none;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You +1'd this publicly. <a class="fl" href="https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=toolbar-instant&hl=en&ion=1&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADFA_enGB462GB462#"><span style="color: #1122cc;">Undo</span></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="st">(a family run artisan bakery based in Laurieston near Castle Douglas producing a range of hand crafted slowly fermented traditional, sourdough and speciality breads)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Barlochan Highland Beef <a href="http://www.bhbeef.com/" target="_blank">www.bhbeef.com</a> (whose Highland cattle graze the fields around Rockcliffe)</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Loch Arthur Creamery and Farmshop <a href="http://www.locharthur.org.uk/creamery-and-farmshop/" target="_blank">www.locharthur.org.uk/creamery-and-farmshop/</a> (for Organic cheese, butter and vegetables). </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Galloway Lodge Preserves</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.gallowaylodge.co.uk/">www.gallowaylodge.co.uk</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Castle Douglas Food Town is a good starting point for sampling and buying the regions products. You can find more details at <a href="http://www.savourtheflavours.co.uk/">www.savourtheflavours.co.uk</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You can more details on Farmhouse Breakfast Week and lots of recipes for tasty breakfasts at<span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.shakeupyourwakeup.com/">http://www.shakeupyourwakeup.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Our recommendation to warm you up on a chilly Winter morning is - Cranberry Spiced Porridge</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You will need;</span></div>
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</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">100g Scottish Jumbo rolled oats</span>
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</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">50g dried cranberries</span>
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</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">qtr tsp mixed spice</span>
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</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 tbsp cranberry sauce</span>
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</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">700ml semi skimmed milk</span>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Putting it all together</span></div>
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</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil</span>
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</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened</span>
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</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Serve with a tsp of cranberry sauce and a sprinkling of mixed spice</span>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tips</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Use frozen whole cranberries with 2 tbsp sugar or Galloway honey instead of the dried cranberries and cranberry sauce</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of our guests recommends cardamon on your porridge in a morning.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Recipe from</span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.shakeupyourwakeup.com/breakfastrecipes">http://www.shakeupyourwakeup.com/breakfastrecipes</a></div>
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<br />Millbrae House, Rockcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463393473439749154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-60191618046259148712013-01-07T10:42:00.000+00:002013-01-07T11:01:46.447+00:00Help us support D&G canine Rescue<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dumfries and Galloway Canine Rescue do a fantastic job - please support them!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">On 29th December, Centre assistants Sarah and Zoe bravely spent a chilly night in one of the kennels at the rescue centre in order to raise money to buy new toys and equipment for the dogs in their care. </span><br />
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I think they deserve a huge thank you and so have just sponsored Sarah and Zoe at Virgin Money Giving, on behalf of our rescue collie. I would like to help them reach their target of £500, so if you cold please spare a donation, however large or small, please click here <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=caninerescuesponsoredsleepover" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">Make a donation here</a></div>
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This link takes you to Virgin Money Giving, where you can sponsor the girls and donations will be quickly processed and passed to Dumfries and Galloway Canine Rescue Centre.</div>
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The girls said "<i>By sponsoring us you will be helping to provide our dogs with toys and activities which will provide mental stimulation thats helps to reduce frustration and boredom</i>.</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">MANY THANKS FROM YOUR FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS!</span>"</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpTJFDAXt-I/UOqj8Njc_4I/AAAAAAAAALU/FNMAmaITbOM/s1600/Murphy+best+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpTJFDAXt-I/UOqj8Njc_4I/AAAAAAAAALU/FNMAmaITbOM/s320/Murphy+best+shot.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is our rescued collie at his favourite place, the beach at Sandyhills. He loves living along the Colvend Coast as there are so many fabulous beach, coastal and forest walks. <br />A big thank you to D&G canine Rescue for helping him.</i></span> <br />
Photo: subject to creative copyright - not to be used without permission.</td></tr>
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The centre do an amazing job giving love, veterinary attention and a home to many dogs who really need it. You can visit their website here: <a href="http://www.caninerescue.co.uk/index.asp" target="_blank">www.caninerescue.co.uk</a></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">We really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Note: Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this. </span></div>
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<br />Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0D&G Canine Rescue, Glencaple, Dumfries and Galloway DG1 4RH, UK54.9869485 -3.542636000000015954.968728 -3.582976500000016 55.005168999999995 -3.5022955000000158tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-50010546539920145592013-01-04T10:56:00.000+00:002013-01-04T11:00:30.966+00:00CNN names Scotland as top travel destination for 2013.<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c; color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">The US broadcasting network CNN has named Scotland as its top travel destination for 2013.</span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c; color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Scotland came ahead of Morocco and Amsterdam, with scenes from the latest Bond film cited as evidence of the country's appeal for tourists.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CNN highlighted the myriad of outdoor events taking place in Scotland in 2013, including the Open Championship golf tournament in July, the Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight in September and the </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dumfries and Galloway Wildlife Festival</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">, 29 march - 14 April 2013.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">At last year's festival there were more than 80 events over two weeks with some new exciting additions including an exhibition about ferns at Logan Botanic Gardens, "Pteridomania", the Wild Food Forage in Langholm, Tattie bogle making at Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR. </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">This year there will once again be exciting events across the whole of Dumfries and Galloway with something for all ages to enjoy!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c; color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">CNN also noted Scotland's Great Trails, a network of long distance routes for walkers.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c; color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A feature <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/01/travel/top-destinations-2013/index.html" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;">published on the broadcaster's website</a> said: "Scotland has seen fit to dub 2013 the "Year of Natural Scotland," and what better time to do it?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the full article on the BBC website click here: </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20900929" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">BBC website</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">Note: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"> for information for the Wildlife Festival, c</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">ontact </span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Peter Norman </b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Biodiversity Officer on: 01387260172 </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #f9cb9c; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">peter.norman@dumgal.gov.uk</span><br />
<i style="background-color: #f9cb9c; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">(Please note Peter is not the contact for individual events on the programme.)</i><br />
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Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Kippford, Dumfries and Galloway DG5, UK54.880050999999987 -3.814891999999986229.358016499999987 -45.123485999999986 80.402085499999984 37.493702000000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-5612829385449919942013-01-03T17:22:00.000+00:002013-01-03T17:22:57.858+00:00Celebrate the New Year with a tribute to Robert Burns<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Wishing all our readers and guests a very HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2013.</span><br />
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The time has come again to celebrate our favourite national bard, Robert Burns so w<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e are all looking forward to the BIG BURNS SUPPER held this year in Dumfries 25 - 27th January. Dumfries is only a 20 minuite drive making Rockcliffe and Kippford an ideal base.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Big Burns Supper 2013 is jam packed full of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">events for everyone - from the young, to the </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">old, and the in between - we guarantee there is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">something you’ll enjoy.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1NlPt-Y1VQ/UOW9FRH_8RI/AAAAAAAAAKs/3Y-IXQqICyY/s1600/burns+supper+image.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="62" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1NlPt-Y1VQ/UOW9FRH_8RI/AAAAAAAAAKs/3Y-IXQqICyY/s320/burns+supper+image.tiff" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Image from <a href="http://www.bigburnssupper.com/">http://www.bigburnssupper.com/</a></span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fresh for 2013 is the brand new Festival Village </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">down at the old market on the Whitesands, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">including an original 1920’s style Spiegeltent </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which will seduce you from morning until night, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with shows suitable for all the family, and a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">children’s tent which has non-stop free stuff to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">keep the little ones happy, as well as two fully </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">licensed outdoor bars supplied by The Globe.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Music fans will love the free music stage at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Midsteeple which has been curated by </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tenement TV - and the whole festival kicks off </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with the opening show - featuring a community </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cast of over 700 - which will bedazzle </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">your senses in one of the biggest outdoor </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">productions ever staged in Scotland.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s not for the faint hearted - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> embrace the spirit of the festival by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">making sure you last the pace by dipping in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and out of shows and events throughout the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">whole weekend. Whichever shows or events </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you take part in - rest assured - you will be </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">taking part in the World’s Biggest Burns Night </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Celebration right here in Dumfries and Galloway!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can download the brochure here: <a href="http://www.bigburnssupper.com/images/brochure-small.pdf" target="_blank">Big Burns Supper brochure pdf</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCI95CR2ge8/UOW90OMjZrI/AAAAAAAAAK0/n_tB5xDuhcY/s1600/deacon+blue.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCI95CR2ge8/UOW90OMjZrI/AAAAAAAAAK0/n_tB5xDuhcY/s320/deacon+blue.tiff" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Image from <a href="http://www.bigburnssupper.com/">http://www.bigburnssupper.com/</a></span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This year's headline band is Deacon Blue but we will be heading for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><a class="summary url" href="http://bigburnssupper.ticketsolve.com/shows/873488218/events" name="show-873488218" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Zoe's Ukelele Celidh</a> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.75px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">an informal gathering of players old and young, experienced and beginners, all playing and jamming together hosted by Dumfries and Galloways own Ukelele songstress </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.75px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Zoë</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.75px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> Bestel. </span></span>Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com1Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, UK55.070859 -3.605119999999942654.998122 -3.7664814999999425 55.143595999999995 -3.4437584999999427tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-77425269557153317662012-12-22T18:45:00.004+00:002012-12-22T18:45:44.410+00:00A Recipe for Christmas ....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Galloway Louche Cake - its so easy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Following on from the success of this fridge cake at our recent Macmillan coffee morning I thought it would be nice to share it with you. Not the cheapest cake to make but a small piece with a coffee makes for special me time and don't even think about the calories! Keeps in the fridge for about five days but I guarantee it won't be around that long.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have renamed this recipe to give it a local twist and tried to make it using mainly local ingredients as Dumfries and Galloway has such a rich larder. You can pick up all the ingredients in Castle Douglas which has been awarded status of a Food Town. Here you will find many individual retailers selling and producing quality local products.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Galloway Louche Cake</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">180 grams of raisins</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">180 grams of undead glacé cherries halved</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">225 grams of Irvings Shortbread or digestives in 1cm nibs</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">300 grams dark 70 percent chocolate from In House Chocolates in pieces</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">120 ml of fresh squeezed orange juice</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">180 grams diced Loch Arthur I salted butter</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 1/2 tablespoons golden syrup</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Icing sugar to dust</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">23cm square tin lined with baking paper.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. Simmer orange juice and raisins in a small pan until juice absorbed. Leave to cool.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. Slowly melt butter, chocolate and syrup in a bowl over a saucepan with simmering water. Stir.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Add raisins biscuits and cherries and coat in the mixture.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3. Spoon the mixture over the base of the lined tin and smooth down/ flatten. Cover with cling film and pop in fridge for a few hours until hard.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. Remove from tin and dust with icing sugar when serving.Use a sharp knife to cut in to squares or fingers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our local suppliers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chocolate from In House Chocolates 128 King Street, Castle Douglas, Manufacturers of handmade chocolates. All truly made by hand in their workshop. A wide range of chocolates, truffles , bars and lot lots more.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Biscuits from Irvings producers of traditional homestyle baking based in Castle Douglas. Making a range of biscuits, tray bakes, loaves and sponges.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Butter from Loch Arthur Creamery in Beeswing a working Community which includes men and women with learning disabilities. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Credit: Original recipe from Country Living magazine some years ago.</span></div>
<br />Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-25824586743442185922012-12-02T19:22:00.000+00:002012-12-02T19:22:21.373+00:00Scoffing yummy cakes for charity - how brilliant is that?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The blog thanks two local ladies (girls?) for their enterprise and initiative in organising a Macmillan Coffee Morning last week.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Linda of <a href="http://www.millbraehouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">Millbrae House</a>, Rockcliffe and Lynn of <a href="http://www.birchlealodge.co.uk/" target="_blank">Birchlea Lodge</a> in Kippford got together and held a Macmillan "Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning" event last Thursday in Rockcliffe.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>The cakes, scones, cup cakes, tray bakes and cookies all laid out... where do I start?</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Macmillan cancer charity is one close to all our hearts as there can not be many who are untouched by the distress of this indiscriminate disease. As it says on the Macmillan website </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"<i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face. Macmillan is here to make sure no one has to go through it alone. Whatever you raise, you will be helping to improve the lives of people affected by cancer across the UK."</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A huge thank you also goes to the friends, neighbours and family who came along and donated, the people who donated items for the fabbie Raffle Prize and especially the two spouses in the kitchen who washed and dried with gusto! Well done chaps, nice one!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The cakes were made by Linda, Lynn and their Mums (aren't Mums brilliant!) and were absolutely delicious.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Around 23 people came despite the rain and enjoyed the scrummy home baking and fairtrade coffee. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our local ukulele group DUKES also supported the event by purchasing raffle tickets and Colvend Shop sold some of the cakes too. These, including the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">very generous donations and raffle ticket sales at the coffee morning, raised a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">n amazing total of £300.49 for Macmillan. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>My favourite was the chocolate Louche (forground) <br />but I managed a slice the carrot cake on the stand too. Top marks!</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The raffle, a beautifully arranged and decorated box stuffed full of locally made items and produce was drawn on Monday evening and won by Mrs. H. Congratulations!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kGJ1Z6BHdA/ULSjn8mgUhI/AAAAAAAAAKU/qasLjlVY6mA/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kGJ1Z6BHdA/ULSjn8mgUhI/AAAAAAAAAKU/qasLjlVY6mA/s320/IMG_2384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Locally made and produced items for the Raffle were donated by friends and family. </i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lynn and Linda were like whirling dervishes, the perfect hostesses, greeting everyone personally and making sure everyone was topped up with coffee, cake and lots of chat.</span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was a lovely morning and all the better for being in aid of a good cause. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia;">If you would like to donate to Macmillan please click here <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.macmillan.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.macmillan.org.uk/</a></span>. Thank you.</span>Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Millbrae House, Rockcliffe, Dumfries and Galloway DG5, UK54.86485208062917 -3.787579536437988354.862567580629168 -3.7925150364379885 54.867136580629172 -3.7826440364379881tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-481852105687648282012-11-24T17:39:00.001+00:002012-11-24T17:39:12.741+00:00Spring Fling Round Up along the Colvend Coast<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Memories of Spring Fling 2012 </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Part 1.</span></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For those of you who were unable to do the rounds at this years Spring Fling </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we sent out our team of trusty local correspondents who shared their opinions with us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Here is just a taste of the 57 Spring Fling artists who opened their studios. With the blog having a Rockcliffe and Kippford focus, these are the artists and studios easiest to access from our villages, we would love to have travelled further afield across the region but there's always next year! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Phillipa Sinclair: </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Colvend Village Hall</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My first visit of this years Spring Fling was to our very own Philipa Sinclair who lives in Rockcliffe. Philipa's signature colour palette was much in evidence as was the European influences on her work. Philipa's paintings, which also include many local scenes and motifs are bold and vibrant and I noticed that she had done some exciting designs on fabrics and cushions which I had not seen before. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Philippa Sinclair's work displayed at Colvend Village Hall</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Philippa, never afraid to experiment, had also achieved some wonderful effects with subtle metallic highlights in some of her work. However, the paintings which really caught my eye, and that of several other visitors, were several exquisitely simple flower studies. Confident and graphic yet conversely subtle and delicate they reminded me of Japanese flower studies and I so wished I could have taken them home with me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.philippasinclair-art.com/" target="_blank">Philippa's website</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Philippa is currently exhibiting at Castle Douglas Library Hall until the end of the month.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Phil Mcmenemy: The Gallery, Lauriston</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was introduced to the work of, Twitter addict, Phil at the CatStrand earlier in the year and fell in love with his almost abstract botanic studies so I was keen to see a larger body of his work and hot footed it over to his delightful gallery. The gallery is a converted Galloway barn and with it's simple white walls, slate floor and exposed beams is an ideal gallery space in which to showcase Phil's stunning prints. I was like a kid in a sweet shop, there are so many evocative views and landscapes. Being reared on the Narnia Chronicles, The Little White Horse and Tolkien, Phil's woodland scenes take me straight back to the lands of myth and legend to a time when they were populated by faerie folk. I fell in love with a large black and white print of a close up of the muzzle of gorgeous Galloway cow but it was a bit large to smuggle out under my coat (and I am sure Phil can run faster than me!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74jkTp8nZSY/T81L9kqqZeI/AAAAAAAAAIc/mUb3dVnM_dA/s1600/Zoe+at+Phil+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-74jkTp8nZSY/T81L9kqqZeI/AAAAAAAAAIc/mUb3dVnM_dA/s320/Zoe+at+Phil+.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Phil Mcmenemy teamed up with local songwriter and musician Zoe Bestel for Spring Fling on Friday afternoon</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The afternoon turned out to be a rare treat as my visit coincided with an unplugged set by local musical phenomenon 14 year old singer/songwriter Zoe Bestel. Zoe, who accompanies her haunting lyrics with a ukulele, sat surrounded by an entranced and very appreciative audience in the corner of Phil's studio and played a selection of her own work and a couple of inspirational cover versions. As I joined the queue to buy her latest single I was touched by her natural confidence and easy way with people. I am sure we will all be seeing and hearing a lot more from her. We are delighted to be told that Zoe's "<span style="color: #134f5c;">Just Another Girl" has been short listed to win a Young Song Writers’ Competition. The competition is held annually and is run by an Anti-violence Against Women team here in our local region of Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland You can hear her song and vote here </span><a href="http://www.zoebestel.co.uk/just-another-girl-gets-short-listed/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;">Just Another Girl</span></a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As if the afternoon hadn't been memorable enough I can't fail to mention the awesome afternoon tea and cakes in the Lauriston Village Hall. A choice of three cakes selected from a whole A4 sheet list and either coffee or tea. This must surely be heaven! Thank you ladies.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.pmcphotography.co.uk/" target="_blank">Phil's website</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">John Threlfall: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rockcliffe Gallery</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No Spring Fling is complete for us without a visit to see John's work. John, deservedly voted Bird Artist of the Year 2007, also lives in Rockcliffe so can often be seen out and about, particularly at the RSPB Mersehead Reserve where he gets lots of inspiration. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wf1eIp_nxfk/T81Ln-vMjFI/AAAAAAAAAIU/UpqOa4jqBL0/s1600/JT+at+Rockcliffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wf1eIp_nxfk/T81Ln-vMjFI/AAAAAAAAAIU/UpqOa4jqBL0/s320/JT+at+Rockcliffe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>John Threlfall at work at the Rockcliffe Gallery on Sunday morning</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Two things struck me at John's show this year: first there was an interesting mix of media with some exiting new work using both oil pastels and acrylic paints. Two paintings in particular used this to great effect, Puffins and Eider Ducks, both of which John has had made into very accessible giclee prints. The second was the stronger use of colour. Influenced by the local landscape John's earlier work adopted a more muted palette but since his visit to a Tiger Sanctuary in India where he painted the local wildlife, his palette includes stronger bolder colours giving his work a new edge. His signature bird studies were much in evidence and sadly for me (but fantastic for John) my favourite painting of two Lapwings sold to his first visitor on the first day of Spring Fling. I did not go away empty handed though. Being unable to chose between the strong graphic image of a Tern in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">water colour </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or the detailed subtlety of two Rooks executed in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">pastel</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I solved the conundrum by buying them both!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.johnthrelfall.co.uk/" target="_blank">John's website</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Christine Smith: Barnbarroch Pottery, Barnbarroch</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The creative talents of Christine Smith are showcased at this working pottery which once housed the local school. Christine's unique style and quirky humour produce some fascinating and distinctive pieces which seem to draw on local influences and medieval bestiaries in equal measure. The shop glows as the lights reflect the subtle pigments and glossy glazes of the pieces ranging from simple domestic ware to complex and monumental flights of fancy. On Monday afternoon the pottery car park was jam packed, a tribute to the wide appeal and enduring popularity of Christines work. The pottery is open all year round and has a shop where Christines work can be viewed and purchased.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.barnbarroch-pottery.com/" target="_blank">The Barnbarroch Pottery website</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia;">Spring Fling is planned from the 25th to 27th May. Part two of Memories of Spring Fling will be posted soon.</span><br />
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Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-31482154523471179272012-10-10T11:30:00.000+01:002012-10-10T11:30:51.352+01:00Rockcliffe to Kippford - Kippford to Rockcliffe Walk<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The best ever family walk... (in our humble opinion) is the Rockcliffe to Kippford - Kippford to Rockcliffe Walk which takes in the famous Jubilee Path.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">We have fond memories of doing this walk as youngsters with stop offs at shell beach and, what was then the Post Office and general store and now is, The Ark for ices creams! It is ideal for everyone with (on the whole) fairly level, man made paths or tarmac and not much in the way of hills. You can do it in either direction but we recommend starting from Rockcliffe as there is a good sized car park (and you can get an ice cream at The Ark half way round!).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rockcliffe to Kippford Return - Jubilee Path</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Time Allow 25 Minutes each way. Distance Approx 2.5 miles</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shoes Sturdy Comfortable the path is usually dry in Summer odd muddy patch during Winter. Path made up of grit/gravel and later tarmac.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>A lovely walk with beautiful views </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>out to sea</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> and across the estuary on land managed and owned by the National Trust of Scotland. Lots of memorial seating on the way where you can relax and enjoy the views. The Jubilee Path has been a favourite for many years and was named to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ocmGa2TqLDg/UFo6z5apngI/AAAAAAAAAK0/90fWPG_DJ-E/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ocmGa2TqLDg/UFo6z5apngI/AAAAAAAAAK0/90fWPG_DJ-E/s320/DSC_0104.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Pier at Rockcliffe overlooked by the Mote of Mark</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Park at Rockcliffe car park Grid ref. NX847537 walk around the bay and take the path to the left of the public toilets. Pass through two kissing gates and in to meadow. Follow the path left and over a small wooden bridge. At gravel lane turn left you will see a gate on the bend on your left this takes you to the little pier with lovely views of Rough Island.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esISuzTqkp4/UFo7UPgOlII/AAAAAAAAAK8/_x0GOkWnq8I/s320/DSC_0106.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>T</i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">he path follows the shoreline at this point and passes two lovely, typically local granite Victorian cottages</span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Continue on gravel road through gate at cattle grid and straight on past the cottages with the Estuary on your left. After a slow incline you will see a cottage ahead of you, take the right turn signed Kippford on a carved granite boulder. (see below)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1siXJgldhk/UFo73BfEFQI/AAAAAAAAALI/2elMoBThNdE/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1siXJgldhk/UFo73BfEFQI/AAAAAAAAALI/2elMoBThNdE/s320/DSC_0109.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Boulder Signpost for Kippford as modelled by Murphy</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Follow this path, trying to suppress your curiosity and exploring all the little trails leading off from it. ( I always take a different path and always seem to end up in Kippford - although in different parts of the village. ) In our eight years of running the B&B and recommending this walk regularly we have not lost any guests on this walk day or night - yet!!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-GLuRWi3EE/UFo9uocL_lI/AAAAAAAAALk/OLVXyM_C1Qg/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-GLuRWi3EE/UFo9uocL_lI/AAAAAAAAALk/OLVXyM_C1Qg/s320/DSC_0112.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The path winds through National Trust for Scotland woodland</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After a few minutes the path splits, follow it to the left and down the hill. Its a little rocky here but the scenery at the bottom is beautiful. You descend to a T junction which is the private (no-through) road to Rough Firth (pedestrians and residents vehicles only )</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In front of you there is a lovely shell beach and a bench a good place to rest a wee while. (the left turn is a dead-end but worth a peek as it takes you to the other end of the shell beach and the start of the causeway across to Rough Isle) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Note: Dog owners please be aware that although very pretty, the shells can cut soft paws! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzQDrMB4Tb8/UFo-KIuRBbI/AAAAAAAAALs/BRUeXEcgzoE/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzQDrMB4Tb8/UFo-KIuRBbI/AAAAAAAAALs/BRUeXEcgzoE/s320/DSC_0113.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Shell Beach Kippford looking South towards Hestan Island</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At this point (signpost pictured above) take the road right and follow it in to the village.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkqUvAajeWk/UFo-rSpcc3I/AAAAAAAAAL0/Odc9lH9YUOk/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkqUvAajeWk/UFo-rSpcc3I/AAAAAAAAAL0/Odc9lH9YUOk/s320/DSC_0115.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>View looking up the Estuary from Rough Firth, North towards Palnackie</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlCdfbPXyFo/UFo_HJhAWaI/AAAAAAAAAMA/rq83b-BBU50/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zlCdfbPXyFo/UFo_HJhAWaI/AAAAAAAAAMA/rq83b-BBU50/s320/DSC_0120.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Funny Faces along the side of the road at Rough Firth</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">As you walk along the road you will see funny statues and amusing sculptures in a local artists garden on your right. A favourite with for children of all ages.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C01GgDix8ws/UFo_lN0nfDI/AAAAAAAAAMI/o9eeBvZ4YQs/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C01GgDix8ws/UFo_lN0nfDI/AAAAAAAAAMI/o9eeBvZ4YQs/s320/DSC_0124.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The yacht club pontoon and moorings, Kippford - Urr Estuary</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When you reach the newly renovated bus shelter and The Ark, you are at in Kippford, the halfway point of your walk. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you fancy a break or need sustenance for the return trip, you can stroll along the sea wall to The <a href="http://anchorhotelkippford.co.uk/" target="_blank">Anchor</a> or <a href="http://www.themarinerkippford.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Mariner</a> for lunch or pop into <a href="http://www.kippford-gift-shop.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Ark</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a lovely little coastal themed gift shop </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which also does takeaway coffee, sandwiches, cake and ice cream</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From here take the road up the steep hill (this is the only steep bit, promise! Its a tarmac road, only a short hill and has good footing) and follow the Jubilee Path back to Rockcliffe past The Muckle and the Mote of Mark. This path has lovely glimpses of the Estuary, Hestan and Rough Island and several benches along the way. I love it as it changes with the seasons.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The National Trust for Scotland own and manage the area. Removing invading sycamore and creating habitats with the felled timber. Standing dead wood in the alder woodland creates opportunities for the great spotted woodpecker and the oak woodlands support more than 280 bugs and beasties along with jays and red squirrels who collect the acorns.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.nts.org,uk/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.nts.org,uk</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Photos taken with my Nikon D130 all photographs copyright: L Birdsall, Millbrae House</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.millbraehouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.millbraehouse.co.uk/</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">NTS copy taken from leaflet 'Mudflats to Meadows'</span></div>
Millbrae House, Rockcliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463393473439749154noreply@blogger.com1Rockcliffe, Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway DG5, UK54.862777388322606 -3.796463012695312554.826236388322606 -3.8754270126953125 54.899318388322605 -3.7174990126953125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-51912153221992088302012-09-23T13:51:00.000+01:002012-09-23T13:51:14.901+01:00Solway artist Ailsa Black
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Being huge fans of Ailsa Black's whimsical work we invited her to write a post for the blog. Her work is characterised by wonderful skills of observation, an amazing attention to detail and a unique perspective on the world around her. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In short... we love her quirky, contemporary </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>naïve</i> style which really distills life on the Solway Coast and connects with those who love the area. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is one of my own particular favorites (but then again being a Collie owner I am biased!): </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JVpbLMih20/UF8DAYGNdfI/AAAAAAAAAJM/8E_ENavct0g/s1600/pep+talk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JVpbLMih20/UF8DAYGNdfI/AAAAAAAAAJM/8E_ENavct0g/s320/pep+talk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>Pep talk by Ailsa Black</i></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ailsa lives on the Solway Coast here in Dumfries and
Galloway and it is from the countryside, coast and seascapes of the area that she takes her inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ailsa describes her work as an expression of Scottish contemporary rural
life and she focuses on the interaction of landscape, animals, birds and people
that surround her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is
interested in the use of these core influences, which merge with her
imagination, to convey a light-hearted, quirky and whimsical narrative on
aspects of rural life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7VykGK0UKs/UF8Dc-fvN4I/AAAAAAAAAJU/USBV4DZkPNc/s1600/hoppity+poppity+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7VykGK0UKs/UF8Dc-fvN4I/AAAAAAAAAJU/USBV4DZkPNc/s320/hoppity+poppity+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Hoppity poppity by Ailsa Black</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her works, in acrylic paint on canvas board, utilise a
limited, but bold, palette of signature colours and simplify form to bring a modern decorative clarity and
simplicity to the image. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> So, over to Ailsa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">…</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm very
lucky to live in a tiny coastal hamlet in South West Scotland, it has a few
houses, a ruined pier, a phone box and a pub. My studio is in the
converted attic and looks onto hills and fields at the back and the sea at the
front. Out the front I often can see porpoises, seals, boats and
sometimes otters, but mostly I see people walking their dogs and wandering
about quite unaware that they are being watched. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VkADZj38Z3k/UF8DvzPBIMI/AAAAAAAAAJc/zq4LUX2Kyks/s1600/salty+seadog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VkADZj38Z3k/UF8DvzPBIMI/AAAAAAAAAJc/zq4LUX2Kyks/s320/salty+seadog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Salty seadog by Ailsa Black</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Out the back of the
house I can watch cows and sheep. Everywhere there are birds of all
shapes and sizes. I feature all these aspects in my work...what more
inspiration would you need?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have
always loved drawing and painting and would do so at every opportunity
throughout my life. I was lucky to have a couple of great art teachers at
both primary and secondary school. When I left school I went to art
school and had a great tutor there. Also my mum is a keen painter and I
remember having to sit for her while I was quite young so she could draw me,
she has always been very encouraging.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have a
need to capture and express my experience of life and the things that surround
me. I try to add a touch of humour and sometimes a word or two of Scots
to my painting titles. Life is too precious not to try and have some fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EPXFBuquAfs/UF8D8lzo8-I/AAAAAAAAAJk/VkD3Pd4VraU/s1600/moonlit+escapade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EPXFBuquAfs/UF8D8lzo8-I/AAAAAAAAAJk/VkD3Pd4VraU/s320/moonlit+escapade.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Moonlit escapade by Ailsa Black</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Currently….</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ailsa sells cards and prints to trade at over 30 outlets across the UK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has exhibited paintings at the
Royal Glasgow Institute and the Paisley Art Institute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has completed many private
commissions and her work is increasingly being collected across the UK and
internationally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can
see Ailsa’s work at <a href="http://www.ailsablack.com/">www.ailsablack.com</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or follow her at <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ailsa-Black-Scottish-Artist/207049749306918">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ailsa-Black-Scottish-Artist/207049749306918</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="file:///AilsaBlack">https://twitter.com/AilsaBlack</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Carsethorne, Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway DG2 8BJ, UK54.90642220407387 -3.563346862792968854.888169704073867 -3.6028288627929688 54.924674704073873 -3.5238648627929687tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303098459593716615.post-61912121480541694752012-09-16T15:26:00.000+01:002012-09-18T11:51:34.400+01:00Shambellie Autumn Fair - update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">A date for your diary...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You are invited to an Autumn Fair at Shambellie Walled Garden and Nursery (New Abbey) on Saturday 22nd September.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjfqMayf2I8/UFXf1HErcRI/AAAAAAAAAI4/t_E46R4UFwQ/s1600/shambellie.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjfqMayf2I8/UFXf1HErcRI/AAAAAAAAAI4/t_E46R4UFwQ/s1600/shambellie.tiff" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Image courtesy of: <a href="http://www.shambelliewalledgarden.co.uk/">http://www.shambelliewalledgarden.co.uk/</a></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shambellie Walled Garden, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">until 2005, a derelict and weed-choked space, (being abandoned in the 1960's) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">has been brought to vibrant life by dedicated enthusiasts and is now a paradise regained and will, I am sure, prove a lovely setting for the Fair which runs from:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">10.30 - 4.00pm</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Apart from the lovely gardens there will be:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Floral Display Demonstrations</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Hand Crafted Gifts</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Vintage Finds</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Home-made Notebooks</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Home Produce</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Bric-a-brac</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Collectables</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Artwork</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">Girt ideas... and more!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">Coffee and shortbread served all day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;">!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For more information contact: Sheila Cameron 01387 850463</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ADMISSION FREE</span>Riverview Lodge: in the picturesque sailing village of Kippfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02949588972108112765noreply@blogger.com0Shambellie Walled Gardens, A710, Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway DG2, UK54.982379092338022 -3.624694347381591854.98124009233802 -3.6271618473815916 54.983518092338024 -3.622226847381592