Kirkmadrine Chapel and Stones

 

The penultimate post in this mini-series from our holiday in the Rhinns of Galloway last August sees us visiting the Kirkmadrine Stones at Kirkmadrine Chapel, near Sandhead. 

When researching the area before our trip I found an article about 'Viking carved stones' in the area, though there was very little information to be found. We did find some basic information on a place called Kirkmadrine however and this chapel was home to eight carved stones of around 1500 years in age, some of the so-called oldest Christian memorials in Scotland. 
(It turns out that the actual Viking stone we'd originally hoped to visit is even nearer to our campsite in Ervie-Kirkcolm Church, Stranraer. Hopefully, we'll be able to visit them on this year's trip!)

On the same day as our trip to the Mull of Galloway and Terally Bay (posts linked below), we made a stop off at this quiet little church on the way back to our campsite. Along a single-car country road, it wasn't too difficult to find and the gates to a short wooded path had space for about two cars to park at the side of the road. 
As was apparently the theme of the trip, it was also very quiet with only one other person leaving just as we pulled up meaning we had the area to ourselves to explore. 

The other 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
Swimming at Terally Bay Beach, Rhinns of Galloway

A stunning little area I'm sure you'll agree and what a perfect day weather-wise too. 

As a very quick summary, three of the stones date back to 500s AD, while the others are from the 700s to 1100s AD and the chapel itself was built in around the late 1800s. However, I am linking this article Kirkmadrine Stones Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland which is chock full of lots more information and photos so do pop over and have a peek if you are interested.
Despite not being religious in the slightest, I, for some reason, am always interested in historic kirks, churches, chapels, graveyards and other related areas so enjoyed this quick little stop after our swim.

The other 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
Swimming at Terally Bay Beach, Rhinns of Galloway

Until next time...!

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!