This is not an aberration or a Photoshopped picture – the sun shone! And in spite of Scottish squalls, kept shining for most of the trip. Of course, there were castles; this one is Hermitage – very solid and near to nowhere.
And there were distilleries. There are two on Arran, both relatively newly established, reversing the trend of closures in the 20th century. This is Lagg on the southern tip of the island. Great views and nice peaty whisky.
We took the opportunity to return to the Main Street Trading Company – not the most obvious name for a cafe, deli and fabulous bookshop – easily accessible just off one of the main roads up to Edinburgh in St Boswells.
No trip would be complete without some domestic chores. Nowhere to string a washing line, so the motorhome had to stand in. A warm bonnet helped the socks.
Finally, the oldest still inhabited house in Scotland, they tell me. Traquair, near Innerlethen. Well worth a visit – as are the gardens at Kailzie (pron. ‘Kaylee’) and the Abbey at Dryburgh. The Borders are sometimes overlooked as people head towards Edinburgh, Glasgow or the Highlands. So much to see and far fewer miles to travel…
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