Corsets, cakes & kaleidoscope colours... the evocative prints of Horrockses at Shambellie House

We are incredibly lucky to have the Shambellie National Museum of Costume on our doorstep. Although we live in a wonderful rural location I am always amazed by the diversity of historic, cultural and artistic events on offer and Shambellie never fails to deliver. 

I love an afternoon there spent either in the house or the atmospheric grounds and have visited many times. You are always assured a warm welcome by the attentive helpful team there. The house and grounds alone are well worth a visit with rhodedendrons and a variety of trees and shrubs  

Shambellie House and grounds - from the driveway

This particular trip was prompted by their current exhibition 'Off the Peg: Fashion form the 40s and 50s'  focusing on the fashion label Horrockses.

Horrockses Fashions was known for their off-the-peg labels of the 1940s and 1950s. They gained a reputation for practicality and glamour combined with easy-care fabrics. I loved the bold prints and crisp cottons with founcy skirts the exhibition made me think of summer. Horrockses maintained an air of exclusivity producing about a 1000 of each style, using good quality fabrics, mostly cotton, custom-designed patterns, and great styling.

There is an extensive range of  Horrockses designs on display

 

The exhibition is very evocative: pass me my gloves, headscarf and Audrey Hepburn sunglasses! It features an extensive range of  Horrockses designs on display: the rooms were a veritable kaleidoscope of colour, a visual feast for fashionistas, designers or artists and beautifully lit. Not simply an excuse for fond nostalgia, the exhibition captivates even the youngsters among us: the myriad of styles, colours and patterns fascinated a 10 year old in our party who was wide-eyed to learn that 'Grannie' wore these frocks as a girl. (No, not us.... Grannie!)

Shambellie House form the West including the fabulous wicker sculpture

We had a great day out including lunch in the charming painted wood panelled Tea Room. Homemade soup, cakes and a proper coffee were our choice, they were very tasty and the prices were very reasonable. The museum has a permanent exhibition of Victorian and 20th Century fashion, there is even an opportunity to play at dressing up. We had a laugh trying on the corsets, I managed to reduce my waistline by 1", a major feat, but I nearly passed out in the process. Should not of had that extra slice of cake in the cafe!

Whirling Dervish living sculpture by Trevor Leat - in the grounds of Shambellie House 

The exhibition and Museum is open  1 April - 31 October 2012
Cost: Free with price of admission
Shambellie House New Abbey, Dumfries DG2 8HQ Tel: 0300 123 6789

http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/museum_of_costume.aspx

A well kept secret on the Colvend Coast

Having heard rave reviews from guests who had stumbled across the Walled Garden at Shambellie, today I decided  to take the scenic, coastal road to New Abbey and see for myself. I had been told of the many hours of work that Sheila Cameron, and her brother Euan, had put in to bring this abandoned overgrown garden back to life and was amazed at the sanctuary they have created hidden away in the woods. Formarly the walled garden for Shambellie House (The home of the National Museum of Costume: Click here for more information) the Victorian garden was abandoned back in the 1960s and it has taken six years of hard work and dedication to re-landscape and plant.

There is a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and, talking to Sheila about her private garden which she opens to the public for free, (please make a donation if you visit to keep this wonderful place going) you can see she takes pleasure in sharing this beautiful space and describes it as somewhere for people to learn, sit and enjoy the plants and most of all find inspiration.

The planting style is informal and full; mixed with a selection of hardy trees shrubs and perennials chosen to suit the cool, wet conditions of South West Scotland.

Sheila is a plant expert and now sells a wide variety of flowers and plants from the once derelict greenhouse and garden offering advice and assistance to her visitors. She was brilliant and gave us some very useful advice on planting for a coastal garden. As a result we went away with armfuls of plants and lots of enthusiasm. 

Its the sort of garden that I want to visit regularly  to see how it develops and changes throughout the season.

Sheila and her Spaniel in the greenhouse

Thank you Sheila for sharing your little piece of paradise. I look forward to visiting again  soon.

Shambellie Walled Garden and Plant Sales is open

Sat Sun Mon

10am to 4pm

April to October

Entry free with donations welcomed.

Beeswing Road New Abbey DG2 8DT


(Please do not take your dogs into the garden)

http://shambelliewalledgarden.co.uk/

" A host of Golden Daffodils...."

With the temperature up to 19 degrees  it was an ideal day to visit Threave  Gardens owned and managed by the Scottish National Trust and located just outside Castle Douglas. It's only a 15 minuite drive from Kippford and Rockcliffe so it's a nice wee jaunt! 

Being busy getting the B&B ready for the new season I normally miss the spectacular Daffodil Bank but this year timed things just right. One, by being rewarded by the spectacular sight of Southern Gems in full flower and two, the first chance this year to sit in the sunshine on the terrace sipping a Cappuchino at the aptly named "The Terrace Cafe"  .

Daffodil Bank: Thousands of daffodils planted by Colonel William Gordon original owner of Threave.

Threave House

Scottish Baronial in style the house was designed in 1871 by Edinburgh architects John Dick Peddie and Charles Kinear. You can tour the house but we love it as a place to meander through the gardens and grounds. There is a very picturesque hot house, a huge walled garden planted with fruit and veg and the rest of the gardens are split into 'outdoor rooms'. Surrounding the gardens are woodland walks and even a special 'dog walk'. 

We have been visiting since we were children (not going to say how long ago that was!) but still go back again and again, there is such a lovely tranquil atmosphere and it can be enjoyed by old and young alike as there is lots of space to run around (the kids love it too!).

The next treat to look out for is the huge banks of rhododendrons that fill the gardens with colour and make a spectacular sight.

If you would like to visit here is the information.

Threave Gardens and Estate  http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Threave-Estate/

Estate & Garden: all year, daily.

Visitor & Countryside Centres, Restaurant, Gift Shop, Plant Centre and Glasshouses:

1 Feb to 31 Mar, Fri-Sun 10-5

1 Apr to 31 Oct, daily 10-5

1 Nov to 23 Dec, Fri-Sun 10-5

House: 1 Apr to 31 Oct, Wed-Fri and Sun 11-3.30

Visit to house by guided tour only and visitors are advised to book in advance.

Tel. 0844 493 2245               

31 March - 15 April: D&G Wildlife Festival - Great for a budget family holiday

It might be hard to believe it's come around again so quickly but between 31 March and 15 April is the ninth Dumfries and Galloway Wildlife Festival - two weeks jam packed with wildlife inspired events and activities. It's great for folks of all ages but especially families with young children as the events are fun as well as educational, not all events require booking and unless otherwise indicated,  all events are free to attend. It's a great way to keep the youngsters happy and entertained on a budget.

Photo courtesy of www.wildlifefestival.org.uk/

Peter Norman, Dumfries & Galloway Biodiversity Officer says, of this years event:

"This year there are more than 80 events over two weeks with some new exciting additions to the festival. Look out for the new exhibition about ferns at Logan Botanic Gardens, "Pteridomania" running for the whole festiva;l or the Wild Food Forage in Langholm with a cooking demonstration and free lunch! Another event with a difference this year is making a Tattie bogle (or scarecrow to you and me) at Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR. Popular activities held again this year include the Stars and Stripes badger watches at WWT Caerlaverock, the hatchery open days by both Galloway Fisheries Trust and the Nith Catchment Fishery Trust and a whole range of Family activities for Easter. Events across the whole of Dumfries and Galloway with something for everyone to enjoy!"

Our particular favourite activity is 'Dusk on the Dunes', an evening walk to the high dune at RSPB Mersehead where you will be able to watch geese heading to the sand flats to roost.

You can find out more information on the website: http://www.wildlifefestival.org.uk/

Accommodation:
B&B Rockcliffe: Millbrae House (4 Star)

Self catering Colvend: Loch View Cottage (Sleeps 4, double and twin, dogs welcome)

Self catering Kippford: Riverview Lodge (Sleeps 4, double and twin, log stove, sea views, dogs welcome)

Self catering Rockcliffe: Craig Roan Garden Apartment (Sleeps 4, double and twin)

Drumburn Studio Apartment (Sleeps 2, dogs welcome)

10% off: How good is that?

Castle Kennedy Spring Fling Friends Offer: 2 - 5 June 2012: Spring Fling

Spring Fling Friends Offer:
During Spring Fling Weekend: 10% off all purchases from the Castle Kennedy & Gardens Tearoom (on production of Spring Fling Friends membership card).

Also other great offers throughout the year:

• 10% off all purchases at the Castle Kennedy & Gardens Shop stall at the Lochinch Garden and Country Show on 29th April 2012
• 10% off all purchases at the Castle Kennedy & Gardens Shop stall at the Lochinch Castle Food and Drink Festival on 2nd September 2012
• 10% off all purchases at the Castle Kennedy & Gardens Shop stall at the Lochinch Castle Victorian Christmas Fair on 9th and 10th November 2012.
(The above events all take place at the Stables Courtyard Buildings, Lochinch Castle DG9 8RT. For more information call 01776 702024)
• 10% discount off a Friend’s Membership to Castle Kennedy & Gardens which is valid for a year. The cost of a Friend’s Membership is £26.00 per individual membership, £40.00 per year for a Family or Couple membership and £20.00/£30.00 respectively for a single or couple Concession membership. Benefits include free entrance to the Gardens throughout the Season from February to end October and two complimentary guest tickets to the Gardens.