Hi,

When you drive up the M74 from England you see a sign for Drumlanrig Castle. I must have passed it dozens of times but never visited. In 2011 there was a half marathon at the location and I went down to run it. The castle isn't near the road at all. You meander through conical hills and eventually you see it at the top of a magnificent tree lined drive. It was at the end of October but the castle was closed. I had always meant to return and see the interior having taken the trouble to run 13.1 miles through the grounds!

It has taken another eight years but at the beginning of July along with brother Donald, who was at the end of his three month post retirement stint in the UK, we finally got along for a look.

You can't take photos of the interior as it is full of treasures but I took some pictures of the exterior and magnificent gardens.The castle was built in the late 17th Century in a renaissance style. It has a fascinating family history linking in with major clans and monarchy plus an amazing collection of art and artefacts including Da Vincis and Rembrandts so not your average collection from antiquity.

Although the location is a wee bit remote I can't recommend the trip highly enough if you like you history, architcture and beautiful gardens.

Check it out some day and enjoy the photos.

All the best

Murdo