Our decision was to go to the Camping & Caravanning Club site at Culzean Castle, a National Trust for Scotland property. As Charlie our new Westie pup was not use to travelling in the camper or car we arranged for him to go into kennels for a week.
We left home at 10-30am on Weds 4th April for our 250 mile drive to the campsite. The weather was windy & heavy showers. As we drove north up the M6 towards the Lake District we could see snow on the hills, what were we letting ourselves in for!!! As we crossed the border into Scotland we headed west onto the A75 for Dumfries then north on the A76 heading for Kilmarnock. Westwards on the A70 towards Ayr then south on the A77 to Maybole & the camp site. The weather had changed a little, the wind had dropped but it was very overcast. We arrived at the site at approx. 4-45pm. An hour later we were set up and ready for our evening meal which we had prepared earlier.
Thursday morning we spent familiarising ourselves with the campsite & its facilities. There are limited hardstandings on site which have a sea view. So it's advisable to book early if you require a sea view. Unfortunately we booked late & as can be seen in the photo were not far from the toilet block. The C & C.C. have updated their online booking system & this allocates a pitch relating to the size of your outfit. So it might be worth while putting specific comments on the booking form.
In the afternoon we walked to Culzean Castle about 10mins from the site. If you are a National Trust member then entrance is free, alternatively you can joint the National Trust for Scotland which actually works out cheaper, or pay the normal charges. The castle is an amazing place well worth a visit.
Enterance to Culzean Castle through the Ruined Arch.
Culzean Castle
On Friday the weather was overcast so we decided on a short drive to Alloway, where there are several places of interest associated with Robbie Burns. The Main Exhibition Hall houses the worlds best collection of Burns artefacts & original works. Also Burns cottage the poets birthplace and the Burns monument located in the riverside gardens. From here you can cross the Brig o' Doon, the medieval bridge over the river Doon, mentioned in the poem "Tam O' Shanter". All the above places are an easy walk from each other. A good day was had!.
Saturday was generally sunny so we decided to head south along the A77 to the small seaside town of Girvan. This drive took us past the famous golf course of Turnberry. We parked on the promenade which has a sandy beach and harbour. From here you can see Aiisa Craig a granite rock raising from the Firth of Clyde 2 miles in circumference & 338 metres high.
Girvan Harbour Enterance
Ailsa Craig
Girvan Promenade & Beach
Sunday, our last day. We decided to return to Culzean Caslte. Over the Easter weekend there had been several activities at the castle. One of the atractions was the Maybole Pipe Band and you have to have a pipe band when in Scotland! they were good and continued playing despite the late afternoon rain.
Maybole Pipe Band
Alll to soon Monday arrived and time to pack up and make our way home. Fortunately the rain stopped just as we were beginning to disconnect the awning from the camper & fold it away. We left at 10am in what turned out to be a 6 hr. return trip! The traffic on the M6 from the LAke District to Junction 18 was solid and generally slow moving around 40 mph with the traffic matrix showing speed restrictions continuously. This resulted in a long and tiring jouney.
Was the holiday worth it ................. yes. So where next? watch this space!!
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