Ayrshire

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Ah, 2016 – it’ll long be remembered as the year Scotland had a summer that lasted until early June.  Unheard of since the long, hazy summers of the 1970s.  Mr G is working this weekend, and The Wee White Dug and I are at home mourning the passing of summer.  So, I thought I’d share a recent trip with you.  This one’s from April, when we enjoyed a short break in the pretty harbour town of Portpatrick in Dumfries & Galloway.

It was a last-minute, spur of the moment trip – our trips often are. We played one of our favourite games – ‘beat the weather forecast and gloat’. It involves finding a tiny speck on the map of Scotland with a good weather forecast. Then, as most of the country is battered by high winds, rain and snow, we sit back and wait for the barrage of woeful Facebook updates from our friends and family. “It’s so cold, wet, snowy, miserable, winge, winge, winge.” That’s when we deliver our sucker punch. Photos of us having a fabulous time in the sunshine. We struck gold on this trip and gloated with comments like “Is it raining in Edinburgh? Gosh, it’s lovely here” and “SNOW in March??? – that’s crazy. It’s sunglasses weather where we are”.

Culzean Castle

En-route to Portpatrick we decided stop at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire to explore the castle’s vast, dog friendly grounds.  A wee tip to get you talking like a local – the castle is pronounced Kullain as in pain and not Culzeen.


In the care of the National Trust for Scotland, Culzean Castle is without a doubt one of Scotland’s most striking buildings. It was a favourite of President Eisenhower, who stayed there whenever he visited Scotland.  He was given a lifelong tenancy of an apartment in the castle by the 5th Marquis of Ailsa – a thank you for his war efforts.


Movie buffs amongst you may recognise the castle as the home of the fruitcake, Lord Summerisle from the 1973 British horror movie Wicker Man. Thankfully, there was no display of naked bonfire jumping during our visit, and if Lord Summerisle was home he didn’t make himself known to us.

After a wander around the grounds and much pleading with The Wee White Dug to pose for a photo, we decided to stay for lunch. We ate at the castle tearoom which is located in a sheltered courtyard. It was definitely an al fresco dining sort of day.  Al fresco dining in Scotland often involves much flapping and grabbing of napkins as they’re whipped off the table in high wind. This wasn’t one of those days. This was a calm, flap free al fresco dining day – bliss.


After lunch we headed towards Portpatrick. The drive between Culzean Castle and Portpatrick is lovely. It snakes its way along scenic coastline, before cutting inland through rich, green farmland.

Portpatrick is a pretty harbour town, clustered around a craggy bay.  

Our Portpatrick home for the night

We stayed at Dunskey Guest House, which sits on a fabulous elevated spot, overlooking the town.

Our host greeted us warmly on arrival, and showed us to our rooms. The teen had decided to grace us with her presence on this trip, and as the room prices were so reasonable she got one all to herself. Not having to squeeze into a family room like The Broons at the But n Ben would make it a more enjoyable stay for all.

Eating out – The Crown Hotel, Portpatrick

The town was deserted as we wandered down towards the harbour for dinner.  We’d been recommended a couple of dog friendly places to eat and decided to try The Crown Hotel.  Once inside we soon realised why the town was so quiet – everyone was at The Crown Hotel.  It was packed to the rafters with dugs and humans.  Casper settled under our table and gazed adoringly at a pair of Springer Spaniels who’d caught his eye.

I was expecting standard pub fare but I was wrong, the food was excellent. We really enjoyed our meals, including the fussy teen who rarely finishes a dish.  It was high-end pub grub, and there was an extensive selection of seafood on the menu too.  Good seafood is never hard to find in Scottish harbour towns.


A morning potter around Portpatrick

After a sound sleep, we were up and out early the next morning. We had plenty of time for a spot of exploring with the boy before breakfast.

The Teen slumbered on, as she’s incapable of functioning on anything less than 20 hours of sleep a night.  Her loss, as it was a beautiful morning with a bright blue sky.


I’d seen a walk on the Walk Highlands website that led to the ruins of Dunskey Castle, so after pottering around the town and harbour we set off to do some castle exploring.  

It was a lovely, short walk. We didn’t meet another soul either, which was an added bonus.

Dunskey Castle is a spectacular medieval ruin that sits perched on the edge of a cliff. The views out to sea from the castle are fantastic. We stood soaking up the scene and enjoying the tranquility, before heading back to our accommodation for breakfast.


The Teen had stirred from her slumber by the time we arrived back at Dunskey Guest House, so we enjoyed a tasty cooked breakfast together before checking out.

Our visit to Portpatrick had been short, but fun.

Anyway, Mr G’s home from work now, and the sun has reappeared, so were off out with the boy to enjoy it while it lasts.

Until next time ……….

29 thoughts on “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow”

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you 🐶

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you – lovely to have you join us on our travels.

  1. It is always such a pleasure to read your posts, this time I had three that were new to me. I loved each one of them as always, but this one is my favourite, Culzean Castle is just amazing I really hope to see it one day. We had 35 degrees yesterday, Italia’s waiting for you.
    Ciao, Nicoletta.

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thanks as ever Nicoletta for your lovely feedback. We’ve had mixed weather lately but it’s warm. Not quite 35 degrees though. I’m so looking forward to returning to Bella Italia. 😍

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thanks you from me and the Wee Dug. 🐶🐾

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thanks Howard – bribery is behind those poses. 😉

  2. authorstephanieparkermckean – Fortrose, Scotland – While I am blessed to now live in Scotland with my wonderful husband, Alan, I'm a Texas girl and proud of Texas. I'm a writer--from birth--I think. Sunpenny Publishing has just released Bridge to Nowhere, the first in a Miz Mike series--and yes--Miz Mike is from Texas! Three Prongs where the misfits fit. Sounds a bit like Bandera, Texas!
    authorstephanieparkermckean says:

    Fantastic photos & dialog! Thanks for sharing. For us, here in the Scottish Highland, 2016 will be the year that winter stayed around until June 20…and counting!

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you – hope summer reaches you soon. 😎

  3. Another great blog post. Just wanted to say thank you for saving me from pronouncing Culzean incorrectly for the rest of time (my pronunciation was even more interesting than the predicted ‘Culzeen’) 😉

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you and glad to have been of service. 😉

  4. Sonia Malysz – Photography has always been my passion. I grew up with a German Praktica hanging around my neck and taking black and white photographs. I like photographing the tranquility of nature where the colors, however extravagant, always seem in agreement with each other. I enjoy finding things hidden away in unexpected places and beauty in ordinary life. I enjoy the creativity of people in all its diverse forms and find it fascinating to capture it on photographs. Join me on the road to visit the old, familiar places and discover the unknown.
    Sonia Malysz says:

    That was a great trip. Your Scotland is so beautiful… 🙂

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you – we’re very lucky. Scotland is a stunning country. 😊

      1. Sonia Malysz – Photography has always been my passion. I grew up with a German Praktica hanging around my neck and taking black and white photographs. I like photographing the tranquility of nature where the colors, however extravagant, always seem in agreement with each other. I enjoy finding things hidden away in unexpected places and beauty in ordinary life. I enjoy the creativity of people in all its diverse forms and find it fascinating to capture it on photographs. Join me on the road to visit the old, familiar places and discover the unknown.
        Sonia Malysz says:

        It is top one on my list 🙂

  5. Little Miss Traveller – England – An independent traveller writing about her visits to countries near and far - travel diaries and days out providing inspiration for fellow travellers
    Little Miss Traveller says:

    Lovely photos – enjoy your whisky tasting!

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you – I’m actually looking forward to it. Something new for me. 😊

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      I love travelling with my boy. 🐶🐾

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you – such a beautiful part of Scotland.

  6. mukul chand – new delhi – 51 year old entrepreneur who has traveled extensively around the world for work and pleasure , is based in New Delhi, India. A passionate traveler born with a love for flora and fauna, is an active naturalist and amateur photographer. Here he shares his unique insight into Incredible India revealing its mysterious and exotic treasures. Writing from his heart he shares his experiences as he crisscrosses this vast and amazing land.
    mukul chand says:

    great post

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you so much 🐶🐾

      1. mukul chand – new delhi – 51 year old entrepreneur who has traveled extensively around the world for work and pleasure , is based in New Delhi, India. A passionate traveler born with a love for flora and fauna, is an active naturalist and amateur photographer. Here he shares his unique insight into Incredible India revealing its mysterious and exotic treasures. Writing from his heart he shares his experiences as he crisscrosses this vast and amazing land.
        mukul chand says:

        welcome

  7. Thank you so much for sharing beautiful pictures and wonderful Scottish tales. I couldnt be more thrilled to see your wee white dug posing in front of these breathtaking castles and landscapes.

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you so much. We really appreciate you joining us on our travels.

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