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Oor Scottish Escapades, Leven (2026)

15/02/2025

Sorry iv been quiet for so long, life and worries took over me, but iv still been walking around, exploring some new spots to share.

Here’s one now 😉

Nice little wander around Auchinstarry and Nethercroy Woods, near Cumbernauld. Considering this area is rather built up, the canal and woods are so peaceful and clean.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time here, taking in some gorgeous views especially from the top.

I sat for a while in amoungst some rather old majestic trees, overlooking the world rushing by me and you know what? I felt completely at peace. 🖤

Comment if you’ve been before and what your favourite thing is about this area. Mines is the trees 🌳

07/11/2024

Killing time in the Marriage capital of the UK

Welcome to Gretna Green

Since 1753 when the marriage act in England and Wales was enforced, many thousands of couples have eloped here, over the Anvil by the Blacksmiths, Sealing each marriage with a strike on the famous Anvil.

So many cute places dotted around the Gretna area as a whole.
For some reason can’t post all our finds as I can’t upload videos with pictures 🙈

Definitely worth a stop if you’re heading across the border.

For a more in depth look pop over to oor youtube

https://youtube.com/?si=SS37T-aF5TEze2CT

23/10/2024

Kailzie Gardens

A tranquil escape on the banks of the River Tweed, not even 5 minutes from Peebles, in the Scottish Borders.

Definitely worth a visit!!!

The Courtyard Cafe was excellent too❤️

It cost us, a family of 4, £15 as the kids are under 16 so they are free, wee added bonus!

With 20 acres of grounds including a 19th century walled garden with glorious 18 ft high walls, the 1st and obviously oldest surving Mckenzie and Moncur Greenhouse or should i say Glasshouse, oops, sprawling Woodland with streams, mini waterfalls and a water Fountain, and gardens that are bursting with colour and life, and the Courtyard Cafe theres nothing missing from Kailzie Gardens, its a lovely day out for all the family.

It is home to the almost 300 year old Larch.

On the grounds there’s also a Fishery offering both bait and fly fishing, a Putting Green and a Pétanque rink although it’s currently under renovation.

So why not pop in for a visit the next time you’re near Peebles.

Want a more in depth look???

Pop over to oor YouTube channel
https://youtube.com/?si=nSMwmlNGMX

05/10/2024

Some things to do around Leven, Fife, Scotland.

We started off at East Wemyss, hoping to get a good look at the Wemyss Caves!

Sadly they were locked but we still had a good nosey round and had a wee explore of Macduff Castle.

Did you know that the Wemyss caves were naturally created by sea action some 5000-8000 years ago and within these caves there are carvings that date back to the Bronze Age! The caves also hold the highest concentration of Pictish carvings in all of Britain. There are 60 recognised Pictish symbols and Wemyss Caves has 49 examples. Originally it’s believed there were 11 caves in total but sadly due to erosion there are 6 that remain today. Although the caves were locked we did find out that on Sundays they apparently do guided tours, be sure to book in advance as spaces are limited. We are hoping to do this in the future 🤞

Macduff Castle is nestled on the hill above the caves and is definitely worth a visit.

The site dates back the 11th Century if not prior but the remains we see today are from the 14th and 16th Century. The Macduffs were the most powerful family in the Kingdom of Fife during the Middle Ages, where the castle gets its name but nothing remains from that time. By the 14th Century their descendants the Wemyss had started to build a stone structure on the site, developed further by their successors the Colville’s in 1530. In 1637 the Castle was back in the hands of the Wemyss family. 14 years later then the lands of East and West Wemyss were joined under a single Barony.

Like all Castle’s there’s a poor soul trapped here, Mary Sibbald, also know as the Grey Lady. Mary died in the Castle after being tortured for theft and it’s said a ghostly figure in a white dress with piercing blue eyes appears around the Castle and the Caves 😔

After Wemyss Caves and Macduff Castle we dropped Colin off at the football, then me and the kids headed off to Silverburn Park. A quiet, peaceful spot amongst nature.

Originally owned by the Russel Family who owned Tullis Russel, a paper making factory. After 119 years at Silverburn, in 1973 Sir David Russels son Dr/Major Russel gifted the grounds and building to Leven Town Council, with a stipulation that the Park remain a quiet area, used for the benefit of the people, with nature trails, quiet parkland and organised camping.

In 2022 FEAT secured £3.47 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help proceed with the regeneration of Silverburn Flax Mill, which in time will a hub for the local community. With a Cafe and Restaurant, gift shop, arts and crafts studios, meetings rooms and a Backpackers Hostel with possibly even more.

As we were pulling out of Silverburn we noticed, across the road Blacketyside Farm Shop, an amazing wee place where you can pick your own fruit during the summer months! It also has a great shop and a good park for little ones.

After we picked some delicious strawbs and rasps, we picked Colin up from the football and headed back home again.

Over all wee had a great wee day exploring around the area of Leven and I think we will most definitely be back, there’s still so much to see in the area.

Drop a wee pin in google and if you ever find yourself near Leven, you know what you can do.

Happy Travels Guys ✌️🖤

29/09/2024

In a world full of stress, find a place of pure peace.

Little Sparta

Hidden away, in often forgotten South Lanarkshire, Little Sparta is nestled in the Pentland Hills close to the village of Dunsyre near Biggar.

An Internationally recognised garden created by the late Ian Hamilton Finlay and his wife Sue.

Originally called Stoneypath, this 7 acre Avant Garden Experiment became Little Sparta in 1983, thanks to Ian’s passion for gardening, art, poetry and history.

Only open a limited amount of days per year, so as to enjoy the garden in bloom as Ian Hamilton Finlay intended you to.

Please help to sustain Little Sparta by visiting yourself or donating online at

https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/13505/

What to see more of Little Sparta pop over to Oor YouTube

https://youtube.com/?si=NTAW35ZOwA9pENi2

21/09/2024

- Hey Guys -

Not really a travel destination post, but we did do some travelling to get here.

* Five Guys at Glasgow Fort *

Wow, absolutely blown away. Great staff, amazing diner style restaurant and just old fashioned good grub.

17/09/2024

A bit late in posting but at the end of July we spent the day at The Spectacular Jousting at Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
What a day it was, for starters the weather was gorgeous, clear blue skies, lovely warm sunshine and a very gentle breeze, something Scotland hasn’t had much of this year, perfect day for a medieval experience.
Then when we arrived, we were immersed in medieval life, from the court room, to the living camp, to getting prepared for battle, to actual “jousting”, to the beautiful birds of prey and their roles. Everywhere you looked there was something to see.

Special Thanks to Les Amis-knights of the north and The Historic saltire society for a fantastic

25/08/2024

When life gets a bit much, there’s nothing better than a day at the beach!

Today it’s Powillimount Beach in the picturesque Arbigland estate, in the forgotten corner of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

We got everyone together, mother and fur-brother included and off we went.

We left home in Southern, South Lanarkshire heading South West, passing through the magical Dalveen Pass, which was carved out in the last ice age and is nothing but dramatic, in all weathers.

*fun fact* a lovely lady we know, who will be 93 on her next birthday, was born and raised in the house, in the basin of Daveen Pass. It has went through many changes over the years but the original house walls are still intact with the building today.

After Dumfries we were back into the country side heading to the Solway Coast, first passing the iconic New Abbey or more aptly Sweetheart Abbey, currently under restoration, this Abbey is the epitome of True Love. That’s a story for another day.😉

You’re last chance for a shop and the loo is Southerness, only 5 minutes in the car from Powillimount.
You can also reach Powillimout Beach and beyond into Arbigland Estate on foot, from the Lighthouse at Southerness, go left, follow the signs and your on your way but always keep an eye on the tides, they move very fast in this area and there are mudflats and very soft sand in sections. We prefer to park at Powillimount itself, it’s safer for visitors too especially when you dont know the area well.

Powillimount Beach is in a picturesque area of geographic interest. Over 340 million years ago the 2 continents collided together, revealing a plethora of fossils and fascinating rock formations including Thirlstane Arch, which is still there today, along with the Devils stane which was deposited during the last ice age.

It’s also a bird watchers paradise, with over 32 different species of birds, including Barn owls, Skylarks, Yellow Hammers, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Golden Plover, Buzzards, Red Kites and Peregrines, youl hopefully have plenty chances of catching a glimps of a few.

Powillimount Beach really is one of our favourite beachs to visit that is doable in a day, it streatches for what seems like miles once the tides gone out, with its golden sands, shells, sea glass and array of stones, its perfect for the dogs to run and the kids to play and explore amoungst all the rocks but always be respectful of others, their dogs and always clean up after any mess, please and thank you always.❤️

We really hope you liked todays small adventure and that you stick around and join us on our future discoveries 🖤

Happy Sunday

Love K and C

arbiglandestate.co.uk
scotlandstartshere.com
dumgal.gov.uk

13/08/2024

Finally caught the aura 🖤🖤🖤🖤

Oor Scottish Escapades

15/02/2025

07/11/2024

23/10/2024

05/10/2024

29/09/2024

21/09/2024

17/09/2024

25/08/2024

13/08/2024

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