Edinburgh Christmas Markets 14th Dec

An overnight stay in Edinburgh meant that we could wander the Christmas lights and market stalls and travel back the next day.

Freezing temperatures gave rise to careful thought about how to see the sights and keep warm.

We decided not to spend time searching for city parking but use the Ingliston Park & Ride facility getting to ride on the new Tram service was a bonus to the plans.

Hot bacon rolls and hot drinks set us up for the first leg of stalls but cold fingers and toes made us head for Wetherspoons for thawing out slightly. We declined to take a ride on the fairground chairs and ferris wheels.



A return along the lower level of stalls got us back to where we began at Princes Street.

We then headed towards George Street where we booked tickets for the Ice Sculpture exhibition.
The surrounding streets were closed and buildings nicely decorated and further market stalls and high rise rides had been set up.

The ice sculptures were housed in a marquee with signs warning that the inside temperature was a controlled -10°!! As we entered the dry coldness hit you and everyone marvelled at the cold breath coming from our mouths. The pictures below need very little description as the superb sculptures depicted famous people, myths or events from Scottish history.

After 20 minutes we were glad to get back to the 'normal' cold temperatures of the streets of Edinburgh but decided to head indoors for an afternoon cuppa and general thaw. Luckily the ice marquee was in front of another Wetherspoons.

As darkness fell and the Christmas lights and decorations took on another dimension of 'twinkling', we headed off to catch a tram back to the car park. The trams were very busy and well used.

As we had some time before looking for meals,Ingliston was close enough to Falkirk for us to take a slight diversion to visit the Kelpies and see them illuminated again.

However, the car park and paths were extremely slippy from a shower of rain falling on frozen ground so we stayed in the car and took pictures from the open windows.







After a quick evening meal thanks to Toby carvery, we drove to our overnight stop at Holiday Inn Express at Ocean Drive Leith.

Next day was fine and bright so we did a little tour of local shops before taking a leisurely drive homewards.

A Dobbies garden centre, en route, enticed us to stop for a snack. A quick look around found a bonus of small shopping units (EWM and Lakeland etc) - I think this will be a regular stop if we return to Edinburgh in the future !!

Lowther Castle Dec 2017

December saw us make two visits to Lowther Castle - the first was a day out and the second was as a result of talking to the lady in the gift shop who told us about the markets the castle was hosting on 3 weekends before Christmas. Both days turned out to be beautifully sunny but frosty and cold.

In the 17th century Lowther Hall belonged to the 1st Viscount Lonsdale but the current castellated mansion was built for the 1st Earl of Lonsdale, William Lowther, between 1806 and 1814. This was the first time it was known as a castle but the extravagance of the 5th Earl led to its closure in 1937.
The contents were removed in the 1940's and it was used during the Second World War by a tank regiment. The family could not afford the upkeep of the castle and offered the house to various institutions but in the depressed post-war years no-one wanted to take it on. To avoid paying taxes the family then stripped the castle and removed the roof.

In 2000 the Estate and English Heritage commissioned landscapers, historians, architects and engineers to review the castle and 130 acres of grounds. The Lowther Castle & Garden Conservation Plan was produced to regenerate the site. They aimed to consolidate the ruin, restore the garden and open the site to the public. The Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust was founded in 2007 and the site opened to the public in 2011. Development work continues and in 2016 the largest wooden playground in the country was opened at Lowther.

The courtyard has been transformed with trees - and at the moment - Santa's Shed. Seating has been installed and the cafe has been renovated. Their menu is delicious.

The market had come from Keswick and we admired them all for standing in the freezing weather all day.

While we were there we were also entertained by circus performers.

We thought that was brave - in the freezing weather - but there was more to come!

All in all a grand day out!
Just to round off the day we came home via the North Lakes - just to have a look at the snow on the hills - which were spectacular in places.

Netherby Hall 26th Nov 2017

We were visiting Netherby Hall for a Craft Fair and didn't really know what to expect, but were very pleasantly surprised with what we found!

photo:netherbyhall.co.uk

The craft fair was set inside the house - the most amazing setting for a craft fair I think we have ever been in!
Entry through the front door led into a wonderful hall -  as beautiful as the objects on offer for sale.

photo: netherbyhall.co.uk

The Great Oak Room then offered us more  - in the way of stalls as well as architecture. We didn't know what to look at first!
The stalls were wonderful - lots of unusual crafts that we had not seen before and friendly stallholders willing to chat about their products. A stall representing Kirkandrews-upon-Esk church was especially helpful, giving us information about the estate church that is still in use and well worth a visit. (see more later!)
After perusing the stalls it was then time to peruse the room itelf - and what a room. The walls - and doors - were covered with carved oak panels. Each one seemed to be different to every other one. Stunning! The ceiling was decorated with carved and painted panels too.

photo:netherbyhall.co.uk

photo:netherbyhall.co.uk

photo:netherbyhall.co.uk

Wandering through to the room where refreshments were on offer gave us more glimpses of this wonderful house.
Looking into the background of the hall after we got home it seems that Netherby Hall has a very long, but rather unsettled, history. It dates from Roman times when there was a fort here called Castra Exploratorum. Long after the Romans left Netherby was at the heart of the Debateable Land between England and Scotland. The notorious, and lawless, Graham Reiving Clan terrorised the area. Even the establishment of a border line did nothing to bring about peace. After the union of the English and Scottish crowns in 1603 King James intervened to rid Kirkandrews of the Graham Clan threat by exiling some of them great distances.
One of the remaining Grahams was eventually knighted, becoming Sir Richard of Esk, who was a loyal servant to Charles I.
The hall and estate is centred around a 15th Century pele tower.

The hall has been developed over many centuries, with additions in the 18th and 19th Century. The house stands in 36 acres of parklands with lawns, a Victorian pleasure garden and a walled garden of about 1 acre.

photo:netherbyhall.co.uk

The present owners are undertaking a major restoration of the building and grounds. They intend to restore the stable area, including the Carriage House and Coachman's House, and bring the stableyard back to life as a working yard. They are also keen to restore the walled garden and re-instate two lean-to greenhouses.We hope they are successful in all their endeavours and are hoping to take a group there next year to have a proper tour!
Discussion about the church led us to go and visit that too while we were so close. You can walk to the church - crossing the "wibbly-wobbly" bridge over the river, but we chose to drive round to it on this occasion.
What another little treasure!

Kirkandrews-upon-Esk church

Looking back to Netherby Hall from the church

With 6 persons on the bridge we think it would be even more "wibbly-wobbly"!!!!
Inside the church it is very pretty and has a very cosy feel to it.

We had a truly wonderful day visiting both the craft fair and the church.