Colvend - A model community

I recently found this wonderful archive on the Internet. There is lots of historic information on the area, this is a link to it:
Internet Archive - Texts

Below is an excerpt from 

Transactions and journal of the proceedings of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society

from the 1892 - 93 session, it makes for fascinating reading. Here is a link to it if you want to read more: Transactions and Journals of the Proceedings of the Dumfrieshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society

Below I have included a section on the Parish of Colvend which included Kippford and Rockcliffe. 

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.

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!

Colvend differs from the majority of parishes, which, as a 

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. 

Looking forward to Spring Fling 2013 - our final round up of last years event.

Not long now until Spring Fling our local open studios event - 25th to 27th May 2013

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.

"One of the many charms of Spring Fling is tootling around pretty countryside lanes and coming across all sorts of lovely venues & varying styles.  Within a couple of miles of the Carsethorne coast we came across:

Ailsa Black

Wee Red Boat

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’  – Ailsa uses repeat motifs  with beautiful design and gentle humour  to fabulous effect.  Wonderful stuff!  

www.ailsablack.com www.facebook.com/pages/Ailsa-Black-Scottish.../207049749306918

Ailsa Black's Art at Kirkbean Village Hall

 

Val Macadam

     

Starry Kippford Night and Wee Daisies

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.  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 -  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  ‘Wee prints’ and cards, were posing to order!  

Sadly Val is not opening her studio this May but you can view her work at www.valmacart.com  www.facebook.com/valmacadamart

Val Macadam's Studio Entrance

 

Lettie Blackett

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!  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."

www.lettieblackett.com/   


You can find out all about this years Spring Fling at http://spring-fling.co.uk/
With 93 visual artists, makers and designers participating in this great event.
Submitted by Lynn Watt busy Editor and manager of  luxury BirchLea Holiday Lodge  Kippford.

www.birchlealodge.co.uk

Art work shown  with the kind permission of Ailsa and Val. All art work and photos are copywrited.

 

Making the most of a snowy weekend

This week-end has been a real treat: Being at sea level we don't usually get much snow along the Colvend Coast and so  we got out there and enjoyed it!

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.

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.

Due, no doubt, to a desperate 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!

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!

Very artistic!

The glorious yellow and coconut/vanilla scent of the Gorse contrasted beautifully with the crisp snow and blue skies and made a memorable sight.

The snow doing it's best to blanket the Gorse blooms

Rockcliffe beach doing a good impersonation of a Christmas card

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!

Looking across to Rough Island with Rascarrel in the background

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.

Walking in the snow is soooooooooooo exhausting!

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 in places like New Galloway and Newton Stewart, gnashing their 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. 

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!

© All images and video subject to copyright - not to be reused, copied or altered without written permission

A great walk for spectacular views: Mark Hill, Rockcliffe

Spring is here so it's time to dust of your walking boots and get out there.

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.

Mark Hill Walk - Forestry Commission Scotland

Kippford and the Urr Estuary From Mark Hill

Time  - allow about 25 min's each way and time to take in the view.

Distance Approx 2 Miles

Shoes - sturdy, comfortable.

Difficulty - Moderate, A short walk on forestry paths but rough terrain and steep, rocky path up and down Mark Hill. Path made up of gravel road, wood chip, rocks, boulders. Muddy in Winter

Why do it - Amazing view

Rockcliffe and Castle Hill Point from Mark Hill

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.

  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 ). 

Walk along the path flanked by stone walls until you come to a 5 bar gate and clearing in the woods.

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.

Forest Path opening out at Mark Hill

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.

Blue Forestry Marker and Path to Mark Hill

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

A beautiful February Day

The path starts to get a bit rocky and a bit of a pull but you will soon be rewarded by the view.

West to Glen Isle

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.

Jubilee Path towards Rockcliffe

 All photographs copyright - © L Birdsall, Millbrae House

Happy Birthday to the Rock-Ford Files

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!

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)

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

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.

United Kingdom	39
United States	14
China	2
Germany	2
France	1
Russia	1
Sweden	1
Ukraine	1

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 to anyone reading from outside the UK. 

We are all-so celebrating another milestone. We have just hit 4000 page views and averaged over 330 visits a month!

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? 

Mersehead Sands with the dune system in the foreground and Castle Point, Rockcliffe in the distance.

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.

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!

Looking North from the peak of Screel.

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.

Best wishes
The Editor

NOTE: All images are copyrighted. Not for use or publication without written permission.

Enjoy Dumfries & Galloway with some of the best access rights in the world

As outdoor enthusiasts we are very lucky, here in Dumfries & Galloway, to enjoy some of the best access rights in the world. 

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. 

The "Scottish Outdoor Access Code" (as it's known) provides guidance on access rights and responsibilities but  it is not in it'self an authoritative statement of the law, although it has been approved by Ministers and the Scottish 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.

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. I grew up in Yorkshire where the only option to explore the countyside was to use a permissive footpath so although I love the freedom,  I am still sometimes uncomfortable 'roaming free'. With this in mind I looked up the  Scottish Outdoor Access Code when I moved here and always check my rights over my chosen route before I go.

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 "Scottish Outdoor Access Code" as a handy reference. This is just intended as a quick overview, there are links to official publications at the bottom.

The Land Reform  (Scotland) Act 2003 gives you the right to enjoy:

• Informal pastimes such as walking, camping, picnicking and sightseeing

• Active pursuits including cycling, mountaineering, canoeing and horse riding

• Dog walking, provided your dog is under proper control

• Taking part in recreational and educational trips

• Simply going from one place to another

NOTE: Motorised activities (unless for disabled access) and hunting, shooting and fishing are NOT included.

... over most of Scotland including:

• Urban parks

• Hills and woods

• Most grass fields and field margins

• Beaches

• Lochs, rivers and canals

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 CAN NOT exercise this right. 

The main places where access rights do not apply are:

• houses and gardens, and non-residential buildings and associated land

• land in which crops are growing

• land next to a school and used by the school

• sports or playing fields when these are in use and where the exercise of access rights would interfere with such use

• land developed and in use for recreation and where the exercise of access rights would interfere with such use 

• golf courses (but you can cross a golf course provided you don’t interfere with any games of golf)

• places like airfields, railways, telecommunication sites, military bases and installations, working quarries and construction sites

• visitor attractions or other places which charge for entry

The Code: 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.

1. Respect the interests of other people. 

Which means acting with courtesy, consideration and awareness. If you are exercising access rights, make sure that you respect the privacy, safety and livelihoods of those living or working in the outdoors, and the needs of other people enjoying the outdoors. If you are a land manager, respect people’s use of the outdoors and their need for a safe and enjoyable visit. 

2. Care for the environment. 

If you are exercising access rights, look after the places you visit and enjoy, and leave the land as you find it. If you are a land manager, help maintain the natural and cultural features which make the outdoors attractive to visit and enjoy.

3. Take responsibility for your own actions. 

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 manager, act with care at all times for people’s safety.

There are also places where, although not specifically excluded,  you are expected to exercise basic common sense; these include bird nesting sites such as wetlands and shingle beaches which should be given a wide berth during the breeding season in late Spring. An example of this locally is Rough Island (an island bird sanctuary just off Rockcliffe/Roughfirth with nesting oystercatchers and ringed plovers.)  There are signs asking people not to visit during the breeding season in May and June.

I hope that this post is useful as knowing the code gives me the confidence to explore freely. 

You can get more extensive guidance and download several documents here:

The Scottish Outdoor Code website

These include:

The Scottish Outdoor Code Summary Leaflet

The full Scottish Outdoor Code

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

Source: Scottish Natural Heritage - http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/

Spring Fling Round Up along the Colvend Coast

Memories of Spring Fling 2012

Part 1.

For those of you who were unable to do the rounds at this years Spring Fling we sent out our team of trusty local correspondents who shared their opinions with us. 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! 


Phillipa Sinclair: Colvend Village Hall
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. 

Philippa Sinclair's work displayed at Colvend Village Hall

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.
Philippa's website
Philippa is currently exhibiting at Castle Douglas Library Hall until the end of the month.

Phil Mcmenemy: The Gallery, Lauriston
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!)

Phil Mcmenemy teamed up with local songwriter and musician Zoe Bestel for Spring Fling on Friday afternoon

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 "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  Just Another Girl

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.


Phil's website

John Threlfall: Rockcliffe Gallery
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. 

John Threlfall at work at the Rockcliffe Gallery on Sunday morning

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 water colour or the detailed subtlety of two Rooks executed in pastel I solved the conundrum by buying them both!


John's website

Christine Smith: Barnbarroch Pottery, Barnbarroch
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.


The Barnbarroch Pottery website

Spring Fling is planned from the 25th to 27th May. Part two of Memories of Spring Fling will be posted soon.

TODAY Tim Kliphuis Trio: High energy at Colvend Village Hall

Those of you who think that Kippford and Rockcliffe are sleepy sea-side villages, think again! It's all happening here on the Colvend Coast.

The exciting and accomplished Tim Kliphuis Trio, which includes our own local boy,  Kippford-bred, Roy Percy, is opening this year’s Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival  with two very different concerts. The first at the Theatre Royal, Friday 25^th May, and then at Colvend Village Hall, Sat 26^th May, both 7.30pm.  

Tim Kliphuis: fighting off hoards of adoring fans?

Tim's improvised sound is totally new, yet steeped in tradition and their eclectic style breathes new life into existing musical styles. The band's high-energy brand of Classical, Gypsy Jazz, Celtic and World music and appeals to young and old alike. 

Classically trained, and widely regarded as the inheritor of the Stephane Grappelli crown, Kliphuis first made his name playing with the fiery European gypsy guitarists but soon developed a crossover style taking him to classical, jazz and folk venues across the world. 

On Friday night at the Theatre Royal, with his Trio  providing the driving rhythms of  Thirties Swing on double bass, and with James Birkitt – one of the UK’s top jazz guitarists - they will perform a tribute to Stephane Grapelli’s style . On Saturday, at our local hall in Colvend, with premiere Scots guitarist, Nigel Clark, expect Vivaldi, Grappelli, Ellington, Grieg and the Chieftains!

The Trio have played to packed & hugely appreciative audiences in Kippford, Kirkcudbright & Gatehouse in recent years so it's an event not to be missed! 

Ticket Booking Hotline Now Open: +44 (0)1387 253383 


Or book tickets online here: Tickets for Tim Kliphuis Trio - Colvend Village Hall 25th May

For more information on the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival click here