Amazing Arran

The changing views of the Isle of Arran from the Ayrshire coast never cease to amaze me. The light effect in this photo, taken from beside Prestwick Airport, had to be seen to be believed.

Lady Cathcart's House, Ayr

Lady Cathcart's House was built in the 1700s and stands at the corner of Sandgate and, surprise surprise, Cathcart Street in Ayr.

Minishant Tandoori

The former Lady Coates Memorial Church, a fine red sandstone building, built in 1877 by Sir Peter Coates, of the nearby Auchendrane Estate, in memory of his late wife Glorianna. It retains many of the original architectural features including a remarkable stained glass rose window.

This has in turn been a private dwelling, a 'British' restaurant and is now a Tandoori restaurant.

At least it hasn't been knocked down.

Old Bridge

Monkwood Bridge is no longer used to carry the road from Ayr to Maybole. In fact it is no longer used for anything.

Just walking in the rain ...

.... getting soaking wet. Not totally, but we enjoyed ourselves anyway trudging around Cornish Hill and loch. The colours were absolutely amazing as the above photograph of the ground at my feet shows.

Hanging baskets........

..........who needs them when nature provides trees for free when you allow it!!!!

The building is occupied by the way.

Racing

A picture of the stands at Ayr Racecourse. [Why 'stands' when folk are actually seated?]

Both flat and jump races are run at Ayr.

Butterfly Bush ..................................... and Butterfly

I took this photo at 14.47 today. I never expected to see a butterfly this late in the season. but there he/she was feeding away.

Auchincruive House

Auchincruive House, now known as Oswald Hall and used as a conference centre, lies just ouside the town of Ayr on the river Ayr.

Culroy

The picture today was taken at Culroy, a small hamlet between Ayr and Maybole. This sign, fixed to the door of what has at one time been a garage has always amused me for its presumption.

Culroy is the centre of the universe, Ayr and Maybole are slightly less important, and as for London......

Another Cloudscape

The cloud effect and the highlighting of Ayr looking over the bay from Doonfoot was just too good to miss - and we didn't even get wet.

Prestwick Old Parish Church

Also known as Old St Nicholas' Church, probably dates from 12th Century with 18th Century modifications. It had four alters dedicated to St. Nicholas, St. Andrew, the Holy Cross and the Virgin.

The churchyard has graves of a Covenanter & Knights Templar.

Wet Feet

This was after just a little rain. It's not a good idea to cross the River Ayr here after heavy rain.

Any gueses

This 'monolith' appeared beside the beach in Ayr. There is no indication as to a purpose or even who erected it.

Any guesses what it might be?

Bruce's Well

Today's picture is from Maryborough Road in Prestwick.



Bruce's Well has certainly been here since the 13th Century, but was probably in existence long before that.

King Robert 1st. of Scotland (Robert the Bruce) endowed a Lazar House in this area after he had benefitted from the water.

I'm currently constructing a second blog, mirroring this one, which I might switch over to. Please have a look at it and comment on which you find better.

Ecclesiastical ....

You get 3 for the price of 1 today.







This pillar is to be found in Belleisle Estate Walled Garden.

It was found being used as a banking support in the Slaphouse Burn when it was being cleared several years ago. Where it originally came from, nobody knows.

Sad

Those of you who know me are aware that I'm a bit of a railways anorak. It's not really about the rolling-stock, although I'm more than happy to spend time looking at steam locomotives and the like, but more about the disused routes laid by our ancestors.

This photograph is of part of the now vanished line between Monkton and Annbank which used to run across what is now Prestwick Airport runways.



I've titled it sad, because this particular bridge has no function whatsoever now. The road it once supported has been re-aligned and the cutting beyond filled in.

Going.......

Just took this photo from the bedroom window. Doesn't fully do justice to what we saw, but gives a good idea.

Virginia

Creeper that is.



I planted a very small creeper several years ago. It did nothing for a while and then suddenly shot a single vertical climber right to the roof. Since I needed to get the roughcast painted, I chopped it back to ground level about two years ago, but it has now grown back to about 3 metres vertically and is spreading out sideways as well.

The colour makes me think of the fall in New England, US of A.

Freemens' Hall

First of all, apologies for not posting yesterday. The Family small furniture removals firm was called into action and I was just too tired!



The picture today is from Prestwick and is of the hall built for the freemen of Prestwick burgh in 1844. In it's time it has been used as a school, a jail, the Town Chambers and lastly the Registrar's Office. This function has now been moved to Ayr, so we'll need to see what transpires.

Newton Tower

This is all that remains of old Newton-on-Ayr Burgh council chambers built in 1787. The burgh was amalgamated with Ayr Burgh in 1873. The rest of the building was destroyed to make way for a new road system.

Citadel Wall

Part of the original wall of Ayr Citadel, built by Oliver Cromwell in 1654. The small tower at the end of the wall was converted in Victorian Times and is known as Miller's Folly

Sailing Connections

Sailing over to and back from Arran (plus a lack of time to go photographing today) put me in mind of a photograph I took in early September.



The Scottish Maritime Museum looks fascinating, although I must sadly admit I haven't visited it yet. I really must do so in the near future (as well as trying to stop spelling it Maratime - don't know why)

A second Multiple Post

06 October 2006

Homeward bound



Whilst waiting for the boat.

05 October 2006

Home from Home



A picture of where we were staying

04 October 2006

Teaser



Here’s the castle I didn’t give you yesterday!

03 October 2006

Castles and Seals



I didn’t bother with the castles, but here are two seals.

02 October 2006

Sanctuary



The Holy Isle – now used by Buddhists.

01 October 2006

Standing



Old, but impressive – a bit like me!!

Multiple Post

30 September 2006

Cloud Scene



Lots of cloud, but no rain over Kilbrannan Sound.

29 September 2006

From the back



Looking at yesterday’s hills from the other side in Glen Rosa.

28 September 2006

Eye to the Hills



The cloud lifted a little at the head of Glen Sannox.

27 September 2006

Flight Grounded



These birds on Blackwaterfoot beach had had enough of trying to fly in a strong wind: they just sat pointing into the wind.

26 September 2006

The Last Post



This Post Box used to be a foot higher, or rather the road used to be a foot lower.

25 September 2006

Leaving..........................., and staying



Off from the mainland to the Island of Arran for a short break. However we're still in Ayrshire.