Chatelherault Country Park

As a family we love to make alternative pitstops on long car journeys instead of motorway services. On our drive to Loch Lomond we finally managed to stop at Chatelherault Country Park which is just off the M74 at Hamilton south of Glasgow. We ate our picnic and then had a brief walk around the 18th century hunting lodge built for the Duke of Hamilton:

We felt we hadn't really explored the grounds so on our way home we again stopped here for lunch. This time we took Sherlock on a wander around the estate. Even in the heat we found some cool and pleasant walks by the old pond. We even found some knights guarding the bench:

Behind the hunting lodge we discovered the Clyde Valley Woodlands national nature reserve with some tempting looking walks... of course we couldn't resist following one of them:

Ardkinglas Woodland Garden

 

After our early dinner at Loch Fyne my mum suggested we walked it off at Ardkinglas Woodland Garden which was only a shot distance around the Loch. The gardens are open until dusk with an honesty box and when we went we were the only ones there. We picked up a trail leaflet and headed off into woodland with its very tall trees. For scale my son is 6ft (183cm):

The leaflet had numbers on it so that we could find out about the trees and other things scattered in the gardens such as this lovely sculpture:

One of the highlights was the poetry contained in this gazebo:

Cycle ride to Luss, Loch Lomond

For a slightly more active day we took a 3 generation bike ride on the West Lomond cycle path. This runs from Balloch to Tarbet but we joined it just outside the town where the old main road ran alongside the estate. At first it was a road but soon became just for bikes and pedestrians:

The route did some times run right alongside the A82, which luckily wasn't too busy. The route was pretty undulating but fairly well maintained (some of the bushes could have done with a trim!). It was nicest when it was a dedicated path: 

After about 7 miles we dropped back down to the side of the Loch and had to cycle on the road which would take us into Luss:

The Kelpies

After our trip to the Falkirk Wheel we got back in the car and drove the short distance to visit The Kelpies. They are the world's largest equine sculptures and a popular destination for photographers:

Key facts

• Each structure contains approximately 18,000 individual pieces
• There is over 1.5 miles of steel in each structure
• They each weigh over 300 tonnes and sit on 1,200 tonne foundations
• Each structure has 464 steel plates

The Kelpies were built in just 90 days (to view the video of their construction click here)

With the continuing rain we drove as close as possible and parked in the Helix. We walked along the canal and the size of the Kelpies soon became apparent:

They really are incredible pieces of art and engineering when seen close up:

The weather, plus no open cafe due to COVID-19, meant we didn't linger. I would love to go back and see them when they are floodlit at night.

Family Fun: Hiking round Loch Muick

Today wasn't the best day for hiking but we are made of tough stuff! Just wish I had remembered my waterproof trousers... We drove up to Loch Muick (a favourite place of the royal family) and parked up in the car park for £3. We donned our coats, grabbed an umbrella and took our picnic in rucksacks.

Very quickly we saw a herd of red deer feeding in the field. We checked out the visitors centre with its displays about the local wildlife. There is plenty to see in the glen if you are lucky...

Then it was off to the Loch shore and along the path. There was plenty of water around on the ground as well as falling from the sky..

Luckily there was plenty to keep the children's interest on the way spotting deer and birds. It was uphill much of the way but it's not too steep. We stopped for lunch near a bridge where the path branched in two. At this point it really bucketed down so the umbrella was perfect to picnic under:

We then continued on a narrower, rockier path with even more puddles to the head of the loch. Across the top there are little bridges over the main streams. Even so it was rather boggy under foot.

The return along the other shore was easier as the way is better to give the Royal Family access to their house on the side of the Loch. We discovered a little bothy in the outbuildings of the royal property which looked rather fun to stay in. We had snack break in the wood adjacent to the house although we were plagued by midges. It was lovely seeing the Loch in sunlight briefly:

Then we walked down the rest of the Loch and tried to race the rain clouds back to shelter (we failed!).

Despite the rain it was a lovely walk and one I would thoroughly recommend.

Reasons to be Cheerful: The Royal Deeside Edition ( #R2BC )

 

Joining Michelle's blog hop is easy this week as I've been having a marvellous time on Royal Deeside!


1) Holiday


I have been on holiday in one of my favourite places in the whole world Ballater in Royal Deeside. It's my first visit for 5 years as due to either work or children's school I haven't been able to come.

2) Locals


We have been loving a family of red squirrels that feed in the tree outside our lodge. They are so tame we have been able to get within a couple of metres of them! It's great to see them doing so well up here. We have loved seeing the other local animals such as yesterday's picture showed.


3) Proud Mummy


On Tuesday we did a 7 mile bike ride both off road and on an old railway line. Seeing as my son only learned to ride last month and my daughter 7 months ago it's a big achievement. Hope it's the start of many family adventures.


4) Spoiled rotten


Being away with my parents is such a treat as it really spreads the load. There are plenty of us around to entertain, cook and do bed time. Going swimming every day is so much easier with 2 or more adults too.

#WordlessWednesday: Moo

 

Storybook Glen, Maryculter

A hidden valley containing lots of nursery rhyme characters and other children's favourites. We went as 3 generations and all enjoyed ourselves.

You descend either steps or a pushchair slope into the landscaped gardens. At this time of year there was a mass of rhododendrons of varying colours all over the place. The gardens are designed so that there are surprises round each corner and very few straight lines.

Many of the models have recently been freshly painted but others were looking rather sad. The children didn't seem to notice though! They were too busy exploring the several mini castles and other buildings.

Other highlights included Ben the Highland Cow and the playground. With virtually only our family there they had free rein on the equipment. My son's favourite was the helter skelter and my daughter loved the intriguing climbing frames.

Here are a few photos of our day:

Old Toll Tea House, West Linton

A great place to break a journey near Edinburgh. Light lunches and cakes at reasonable prices. As a bonus it's next to the playground! Here are some photos of our lunch: