Garlieston and Mulberry Harbour

Well I had no idea  - until we read the interpretive boards in the village ....especially when we wondered what the remaining structures were in Rigg Bay. 

Garlieston

A very varied walk today; south from Garlieston. We walked around Rigg Bay - the history of which will form the next blog...

Garlieston.

A colourful sea wall.

Garlic down to the foreshore.

Rocky in the bluebells.

Looking back towards Garlieston.

The remains of Cruggleton Castle - or a Stargate time portal ? 

Looking south from Cruggleton Castle remains. 

Sandhead

Aologies for the break in blogging...poorly computer! So time to continue: 

On our way home form the Mull of Galloway we stopped off at Sandhead- a good long beach with some nice shells - especially the woody canoe-bubble shell which is a new one for me! 

Woody canoe-bubble shell. 

Back home....

Whelk, netted dog whelk, necklace and towershells and a worn pelican's foot. 

Portpatrick

A pleasant circular walk, north along the coast tothe over look the lighthouse at Black Head and then back through Dunskey Glen. 

Black guillemots.

Looking back over the harbour. 

The gorse was alive with the scratchy calls of whitethroats - shame these two were facing the wrong way! 

More thrift and squill....

Carpets of squill! 

Towards Black Head.

Walking back through Dunskey Glen.

Kirkmadrine Church and Stones

At the top of the Mull of Galloway, near Sandhead Bay, is a church with 'stones' marked on the map...Thinking that they might be standing stones we went to take a look - infact they have been removed from the churchyard, as far as I can gather and are displayed in a purpose built extension to the derelict church. The stones include three of the oldest Christian memorials in Scotland, dating to the 500s AD and confirm the existance of an early Christian church at Kirkmadrine.

I think I could very easily be 'spooked out' in the churchyard if alone at dusk! The church is approached down a lane, lined with bluebells etc, and is well away from any properties. 

The approach to the church - who has walked down here and what stories could they tell? 

Fabulous rusty gates.

The 'exhibition' stones.

Sadly, you are unable to enter the disused church.

The stones ...

Symbols - see below for the explanation ...

Mull of Galloway

A walk out and around the Mull of Galloway - lovely flowers, birds and heavy squalls  - which of course make for dramatic light. 

Spectacular cliffs at the far end of the Mull of Galloway.

Thrift.

The lighthouse at the far end. 

Gannet.

Carpets of squill.

Rookeries.

Kittiwakes.

Shag.

Guillemots.

After the squall, looking back.

St Ninian's cave

After visiting the closed St Ninian's chapel we headed off to St Ninian's cave. St Ninian was Scotland's first saint and the cave is thought to be a retreat where he prayed. Driving from the Isle of Whithorn to Kidsdale, where the path to the cave starts, we were stunned by the blue haze of bluebells that extended throughout the woods.

The cave was also closed - apparently it was dangerous...however everyone clearly ignores the barrier to go up to the cave. The walk down to the coast was through a woodland glen, with lots of bluebells which led to the beach and cave.  It was quite a thought provoking place of pilgrmiage with old carvings and plenty of offerings. 

Approaching the cave.

Carvings....

Crosses.....

Coins....

and offerings.

Signs of the winds that were about to batter us! 

Unfurling ferns...

Wild garlic.

The path through the woods.