Scotland - Day Four

Despite some light rain we were up early to explore Ayr further. It is such a nice place. Bigger than we thought and lots to enjoy. I love the juxtaposition between old and new.

On another note, drizzle and cobbles have caused the Favourite Husband to have a few near misses. Now I’m not one to say “I told you so” more than once a day, but he did insist that he didn’t need his sturdy hiking shoes, a consequence of which I’ve felt like I’ve been supervising a giraffe on skates.

So anyhoo.

After tolerating my whim to go to Gretna Green yesterday, the Favourite Husband was rewarded for being such a good boy, with another castle. He’d actually googled this one himself and as soon as he read “flintlock pistol collection” he was like a child on Christmas Eve.

Culzean Castle. I tried to replicate the correct pronunciation that the lady at the desk used and she looked at me as though I was having a medical episode. It’s almost like the “Z” is silent. “Kuh-layn” is the phonetic suggestion. The castle is perched on the cliff over the coastline. The dramatic setting is breathtaking and I really enjoyed wandering through the inside. I’ve learnt something very valuable so far this trip through visits to various castles, a palace, a cathedral, historical houses - look up, the ceilings are often exquisite. I’m getting lots of interior design ideas to take back home, having already added “portcullis” after Edinburgh, I’m now including sweeping staircase and ice house for the garden. And don’t even get me started on how badly I need a turret.

After the castle and its wonderful grounds we headed to Wemyss Bay. But not long after this decision we realised it was going to add quite a bit of time to the drive so we pivoted and headed to Glasgow early. We narrowly escaped divorce with my navigating and his driving and pulled up outside our accommodation and then set off on foot to the Botanical Gardens. The Autumn colours were spectacular and the glass houses and the Kibble Palace, which was once a private conservatory, fascinating.

Then it was back to our accommodation to meet our host. We have an Air BnB for 2 nights in Glasgow on the basis we’d need a washing machine and quite possibly a bit of extra space by now. If anyone is looking for a good sized one bedroom apartment in a period property in the West End of Glasgow DM me and I’ll send you the link. This place is gorgeous.

Liking the feel and look of Glasgow so far, lots to see tomorrow.