Culzean Castle.

A flying visit here really, we must come back. I wanted to use this shot as the ‘ruined’ gate entrance was created by Robert Adam for a dramatic entrance to the castle. It works, this magnificently situated castle sits above Culzean Bay on the Ayrshire coast. It was home to the Kennedy family for generations and a retreat for Eisenhower. The first of the collage extra is a fuller shot of the castle. It looks out over Alisa Craig and the Isle of Arran.
This wasn’t our main visit of the day and we only really went in as it was free entry for us being National Trust for Scotland. We didn’t get there till 4.00, when the castle was closed.  We spent most of the afternoon at Dumfries House. The grounds are extensive and entry is free. Thanks to Croftcrafts for the heads up! We really enjoyed it and had some fun. 
Again somewhere to revisit with a booked house tour. Most of the renovation of the house and grounds was at the instigation in the Prince of Wales/Duke of Rothesay.

A great first day of our holiday which started with a bacon roll at Tebay services, with the additional delight of seeing Runner Duck ducklings by the pond there.

We’ve just walked along the promenade in Ayr and watched the sun go down. It was very bracing! There are some magnificent houses set back from the sea one of which is our hotel. We’ve had a very nice dinner after a drink in the lovely sheltered garden and somehow I seem to have booked the biggest room with a four poster bed! Don’t remember doing that.  Nice to start with a treat.
(Also I seem to have clocked up over 17000 steps!)