Fortresses and Faeries

A great walk with Friends of Pollok Park discovering the history of the Maxwell family and their castles. Faeries refers to the Land Girls who tended the gardens during World War 1.
The tree in the blip is a Ginkgo, one of the oldest living tree species in the world.
Sadly the handkerchief tree is not in good shape this year, possibly due to the dry weather. The one I saw in the gardens of Ardtornish was magnificent, and was possibly gifted by Sir John Maxwell who made yearly presents of unusual trees and shrubs.