The following day we drove to Wigtown, which has lots of bookshops, including this one owned by Shaun Bythell, who writes the "Diary of a Bookseller" books, which are funny and interesting. We've been to The Bookshop before, but Shaun himself wasn't there. This time he was, which was exciting but slightly alarming. (He can be very scathing about some of his customers.) And of course we bought quite a lot of books.
It's an interesting building, with various rooms and quirky messages around the place.
And then we went on to Portpatrick. It's a pretty little place, and we enjoyed walking around it.
Lots of thrift growing in the rocks.
I always wonder what it would be like to live in places we visit. Portpatrick was full of holiday homes, which I imagine makes it quite empty in the winter. I can see myself living in Wigtown, though - at least, as described by Shaun, which makes it sound like a wonderful community.
Then on our last day, Mr L nobly took the long way back via Dumfries House. This is a stately home which was put up for sale, with its contents, in 2008. Prince Charles (as he was) heard about it and managed to raise £45 million to buy it, with contents, for the nation. It has lots of Chippendale furniture. And then more millions have since been spent on restoration of the house and grounds - both are beautiful. One of the King's enthusiasms is heritage, and he's keen on heritage crafts too, so he's set up craft workshops where apprentices learn traditional skills and use them in the house and garden. For example, there are various garden shelters made by them.
It's all very lovely, though I think it'll be even lovelier next week, when more will be flowering.
You can't randomly walk around the house but have to go on a pre-booked guided tour, with two guides making sure you don't pinch anything. The king is keen not to have ropes that corral the visitors in one space, but as a result, you walk past pretty things which I suppose have to be kept an eye on. Various of them would look very nice in my sitting room.
Anyway, it was a lovely end to our day and our holiday. And now we're home and the garden has grown lots of weeds in the warm weather. But also flowers.
Ah yes. We know about Dumfries House as it featured on the TV Programme, The Repair Shop. King Charles showed us around. He had a clock and very old vase repaired for him. ( he came across rather well ).
ReplyDeleteThere have been places where a painting or a decoration would look good in my house too! You live in such a gorgeous city; I would love to live there.
ReplyDeleteYou stopped at two places I would love to visit, the book store and the stately home. I admire all that King Charles does for heritage preservation, including rare old breeds of farm animals.
ReplyDeleteThe bookshop sounds most interesting, though I wouldn't want to feature in one of the owner's books!
ReplyDeleteA nice trip out!
ReplyDeleteYes, that bookseller can be unnecessarily rude...but he does have good stock!
We live fairly near Dumfries House. Never been in the house as that's not really our Thing, but we like the gardens and farm. It is good that we can wander around there any time...and it is good food in the café
What a nice day out. You seems to have endless options which usually include gardens.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely holiday, and one that I would really love as I watch many tv programmes about stately homes and the lovely little villages and recently one on Dumfries House and King Charles raising money for it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOk, now I MUST come back to Scotland one day. You visit the most interesting places! I've read Shaun Bythell's books and enjoyed them immensely. (I do think I would prefer to visit on a day when he is NOT there... He does seem a bit down on doddering Americans ;-) Stately homes are also a treat for us - such a boost for the imagination. We simply don't have many here...
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