Scotland 2019 part 7 ~ The Village

My home town is East Kilbride, it is the largest town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland and the country's 6th largest settlement, it was designated as Scotland's first new town on 6 May 1947. The town lies on a raised plateau to the south of the Cathkin Braes, about 8 miles southeast of Glasgow and close to the boundary with East Renfrewshire.

The location was previously the site of the small village of East Kilbride, prior to its post-war development into the present-day new town. The old village still survives and thrives today as an integrated part of the new East Kilbride.

The Montgomerie Arms, as an old coaching inn it dates back to 1656

The Loupin-on Stane sits outside the Montgomerie Arms, put in place centuries ago to allow people to easily climb onto their horses or into coaches.

The Old Parish Church opened in 1774 is located next door to the Montgomeries Arms. It is where I was christened on Sunday August 27th 1961 by the Rev. Walter Reid

A statue of Sir Walter Scott erected here in 1871, it is not uncommon for his head to go missing ...!!!!

The barbers, where I had my first haircut and all others until I left Scotland in 1987

Next ~ Scotland 2019 part 8 ~ "A day in Glasgow”

Scotland 2019 part 6 ~ Largs and Nardini's

For many years Largs on the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire coast was always a favourite family day out. It has many attractions, the scenery, sea fishing, the shops and the lovely promenade walks, but for most folks the word Largs is almost synonymous with the word Nardini’s.

Largs Nardini Café can trace its origins back to 1890, that was the year Tuscan-born Pietro Nardini arrived with his family in Scotland. It was eventually in 1935 that the now famous café, restaurant & ice cream parlour opened in a landmark art deco building on the Largs waterfront ~ always a must when visiting the town.

The Classic Nardini Cafe with its beautiful surroundings and panoramic views of the Firth of Clyde made it a perfect backdrop for Fish & Chips and a Knickerbocker Glory …

I have more about Largs in a blog from last month ~ “Closing the door, turning the key and a drive to Largs” ~ see ...

https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2019/08/closing-door-turning-key-and-drive-to.html

Next ~ Scotland 2019 part 7 ~ "The Village”

Scotland 2019 part 5 ~ The Borders and England ...!!!

A drive south to the Scottish border region to visit my mother’s cousin in the village of Chirnside. This is a beautiful hillside village located in Berwickshire, Scotland, 9 miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed and 7 miles east of Duns. Chirnside is notable as the final resting place of Jim Clark, former world champion Formula One racing-car driver.

During this visit south we were taken out on a sight-seeing drive which took us over the border into England. We crossed into Northumberland the northernmost county of England via the 200-year-old Union Chain Bridge suspension bridge, the oldest surviving iron suspension bridge in Europe, which spans the River Tweed between Horncliffe, Northumberland and Fishwick, Berwickshire.

Our brief visit to England included two stops ~ Norham Castle and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Norham Castle located on the English side of the border, is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument dating back to the 12^th century. The castle saw much action during the wars between England and Scotland.

Berwick upon Tweed just 3 miles from the Scottish Border, a coastal town with sandy beaches and beautiful riverside walks This peaceful town is now a far cry from its turbulent past; captured or sacked 13 times before finally falling into English hands in 1482, Berwick’s great Elizabethan walls were built to keep invading Scots from entering the town. We walked part of the defending walls, taking in the spectacular views across the River Tweed estuary and of Berwick’s three bridges, including the iconic Royal Border Bridge, built by Robert Stevenson, one of the finest bridges of its kind in the world. From 1881, the town was home to The King's Own Scottish Borderers, where today the Regimental Museum is located in the Berwick Barracks.

  

Back into what some would describe as the better side of the English/Scottish divide, we continued with stops at Eyemouth and St. Abbs ~

A Dry Stane Dyke separating farmers fields along the border

Next ~ Scotland 2019 part 6 ~ "Largs and Nardini's”

Scotland 2019 part 4 ~ The Motherwell game

It was with delight that our Scottish adventure was accidently planned, in such that we could see Motherwell who were playing at home on one of our two Saturday’s.

Motherwell Football Club were established in 1886 in the town that bears their name and for most of that time they have played at Fir Park.

In August 1971 as a young lad of ten, I was dragged to my first game. Not long after I was hooked and became a regular fixture at both home and away games throughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

It is a punishing existence being a ‘Well supporter, the ups, the downs and constant inconsistences would test and challenge the best of us, but they do have a place in my heart.

The game we attended was against Scottish Premier League opponents Ross County from Dingwall in the Highlands in what was a bright and warm afternoon.

My first observations when entering Fir Park after many years of absence was the carnival, family orientated atmosphere, which in no way is close to what it was in my past. Back then one had to be careful, cautious and always on guard for the hooligan element.

It was a great day out with 4618 others in a fun packed ambience ~ The final result, well does it really matter …? (see that last photo …!!!)

Next ~ Scotland 2019 part 5 ~ " The Borders and England ...!!!”