Swimming at Terally Bay Beach, Rhinns of Galloway

 

Following on from my posts about the Mull of Galloway and continuing in the series of posts from our holiday last August, here is a shorter post of photos of beach fun.

I had specifically bought a wetsuit and water shoes in the hopes I'd have the opportunity to have a swim, especially with Baker, at some point during our trip. Thankfully on the way to the Mull of Galloway we spotted a few potential bays and stopped here at Terally Bay Beach on our way North again. 
It was deserted. Our own private bay! And of course, this was perfect for us because it meant that we (Baker particularly) could relax and enjoy our time without the worry of other dogs approaching etc.
Mr H didn't join in our water fun so instead had a play with my camera and so the majority of these photos were actually taken by him.
With it being so quiet it made you wonder if you were supposed to be there at all, but there were no signs to suggest the contrary and no information online. There were a couple of fishermen at the far North end of the bay too. Of course, we are always respectful and mindful of nature and wildlife wherever we go so fingers crossed we didn't overstep any boundaries. 

The first four blog posts in this series can be found here:

Bruce's Stone, Loch Trool

North Rhinns Camping, Stranraer

Mull of Galloway - Part 1

Mull of Galloway - Part 2

Click the image above to see full size!

It's difficult to get a good idea of how absolutely stunning this place was through photos. The water was crystal clear and even as I walked right out until I could no longer touch the bottom, I could still see the sea bed with barely anything other than just soft clean sand there. It was warm too and pretty calm - I was able to have a good swim just like you would in a pool.
However of course this was a much more magical experience than swimming in a pool! I had my best pal with me who was having the time of his life! Not only that but there were Gannets diving only a couple meters further out to sea than where I stood. I've seen Gannets feed before but never from so close and it was amazing. 

This day will be a day I remember for the rest of my life, the only thing that could have made it better would be if Mr H could have joined us in the sea. Perhaps next month...

Until next time!

Mull of Galloway - Part 2

 

Before you read on, have you seen part 1? Pop on over and check it out by clicking here > Mull of Galloway - Part 1

If you didn't read part 1, in short, these are photos taken on our holiday to the Rhinns of Galloway in August 2022. We took Baker camping for his 10th birthday and stayed in the North of the peninsula, one day travelling the short 26 miles down to Mull of Galloway, Scotland's most Southernly point.
Mull of Galloway boasts spectacular views from all perspectives with visibility of Cumbria, The Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, a beautiful just-shy-of 200-year-old Lighthouse and abundant wildlife. 
It is one of my favourite places I've ever been and I appreciate those who work so hard to keep the natural landscape safe and thriving.
See below for photos of the second half of our walk around the circular trail including the lighthouse and Gallie Craig.


The first three blog posts in this series can be found here:
Bruce's Stone, Loch Trool
North Rhinns Camping, Stranraer
Mull of Galloway - Part 1

Mull of Galloway lighthouse is a striking white lighthouse standing 26 meters tall, 99 meters above sea level and of course on the most Southernly point in Scotland. Dating back to 1830 it is nearing 200 years old and has evidently been impeccably kept, with only one main disaster when an aircraft collided with the lighthouse stores building during WW2. 
Something I found particularly interesting is who designed and built the lighthouse, famous engineer Robert Stevenson, grandfather of writer Robert Louis Stevenson! It cost £9,000 to build back then which is estimated to be around £9 million these days which is unfathomable.
Still a working lighthouse it no longer requires a keeper as it has been automated since 1988 and also no longer has a working fog horn. You can see it off the edge of the cliff, down below the lighthouse  (about one of the only things I apparently didn't take a photo of!) though the sound is turned off. 

Another standout 'attraction' of sorts is the signpost which displays distances to related places.
As you can see from this point we were:
113 miles from Edinburgh
318 miles from Lands End
37 miles from Douglas
285 miles from John O' Groats
293 miles from London
42 miles from Belfast
2800 miles from Senegal (where the Gannet population head to over Winter) 

Following the trail around to the West you get views over to Northern Ireland then come upon Gallie Craig. Gallie Craig translates from Gaelic to 'craggy rock'. This cliff edge is dubbed 'Foxes Rattle' being home for many years to a family of foxes! 
We may not have seen any foxes but we did get to see seagulls, cormorants and another juvenile Stonechat! Keep an eye out for the next post from this holiday as we may have encountered some Gannets elsewhere later this day...

Until next time!

Mull of Galloway - Part 1

 

About a month away from our return to the Rhinns of Galloway, I have finally had the chance/made time to edit more of the photos from our little holiday there last August (2022). I think at this point I have to be at least halfway through all of the photos but goodness knows because Hi, I'm Danielle and I'm snap happy! I took so many photos at Scotland's most Southernly point, Mull of Galloway, that I'm having to split them into multiple blog posts. 
Mull of Galloway is obviously on the southern point of the Rhinns of Galloway peninsula and boasts spectacular views from all perspectives with visibility of Cumbria, The Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, a beautiful just-shy-of 200-year-old Lighthouse (more on that in part 2) and abundant wildlife. 
It is one of my favourite places I've ever been and I appreciate those who work so hard to keep the natural landscape safe and thriving.
See below for photos that do not do justice to this gem of a location!

The first two blog posts in this series can be found here:
Bruce's Stone, Loch Trool
North Rhinns Camping, Stranraer

Photo 1: Looking North from the car park across the road we travelled on.
Photo 2: Toward the West and Northern Ireland
Photo 3: Looking South West and extended views of NI.

[ Above 2 images show the view to the East.]

...And right here is where I am going to cap the photos for today. There are still lots more of our walk around Mull of Galloway but I think it's nice to break it down and appreciate the beauty of the area in sections. 
As you'll be able to tell these photos start in the car park and upon entering the circular trail we took a left. We enjoyed the views, spotted a Stonechat, a juvenile Stonechat and a Thrush eating a Banded Snail, and all in such perfect weather it seemed unreal.

One of the main things that affects our enjoyment of days out with Baker is other members of the public. I've mentioned it many times on this blog but Baker is a nervous, reactive dog who does not want the attention of anyone but us and will happily walk along in peace as long as there is no risk of strangers approaching. Places like Mull of Galloway where nature and wildlife are protected and dogs must be on leads are perfect for us. We can safely enjoy a relaxing walk as a family which means so much considering it is such a rare occurrence. 
Baker has grown up around wildlife, sat at my feet while photographed wild baby bunnies or lain quietly as we watched birds. To be able to take him on a holiday like this for his 10th birthday was anxiety-inducing but it turned out so much better than could have even been expected.

Part 2 coming soon.
Until next time....