In my opinion one of the biggest advantages to living in the North of England is that you are just a short drive from Scotland. My husband has worked in Scotland for over a decade stationed at both of the Royal Navy bases in Scotland, Rosyth right outside of Edinburgh on the East coast of Scotland and Faslane just outside of Glasgow on the West coast of Scotland.
Despite the close proximity I’ve only been to Scotland twice, once four years ago when I first visited Britain and then again last week. They tell me that the weather there is usually cold, gray and rainy but both times I have been there the weather has been clear, sunny and warm. I’m thinking the Scottish Tourist Board should consider hiring me to come up and visit during major events because I seem to bring unusually gorgeous weather with me when I visit Scotland. I feel quite privileged that I have seen Scotland only at its very best.
Last week my husband needed to drive up to HMNB Clyde in Faslane so he could pick up all of his gear that had been shipped back after he returned from his last deployment in the Persian Gulf. Instead of making the 4 hour drive on his own and turning right back around we decided to make a little vacation out of the trip. We booked one night at a RSR (Royal Sailors Rest), also known as an “Aggie” which is a kind of retreat/B&B that can usually be found in the areas surrounding Britain’s Naval Bases. The RSR is a faith-based charity geared toward giving sailors and their families a relaxing refuge in an alcohol and smoke free environment. The RSRs were created by Agnes Weston (hence the term “Aggies”) for the Victorian Navy at a time when the Royal Navy was plagued by alcohol abuse among its sailors. The RSRs were started as a “pub with no beer” and provided respite for sailors in a Christian environment. The RSRs still provide spiritual, alcohol-free recreation and accommodation for serving Royal Navy personell and their families. This RSR Hotel, Braeholm, was open to the public as well but Royal Navy and Royal Marines personell receive 20% off the room rate which also includes a delicious breakfast in the morning.
We had such a relaxing stay at Braeholm and a lovely drive around Gare Loch where HMNB Clyde is situated. After one night at RSR Braeholm and an amazing breakfast in the morning we headed out for home. There is something about Scotland that gives my husband and me a sense of adventure. On our first trip to Scotland we stayed one night in Edinburgh which turned into a drive up into the Highlands and lunch at a game lodge which had been converted into a B&B which then turned into another night staying there in the middle of nowhere up in Highlands. This time around as we were driving we passed one of those familiar brown road signs pointing the way to a landmark or attraction which you see all over Britain. My husband mentioned he had passed this sign for Drumlanrig Castle nearly every week for years and had never actually gotten off the motorway to see it. So we immediately put on our indicator, exited the motorway and took a little detour in search of this castle.
Even if the castle had been a disappointment, which is wasn’t, the drive there on a long winding road through the Southwestern hills of Scotland was breathtaking. It was the most beautiful drive I have ever been on and totally worth the detour. We pulled along the side of the road to snap some photos and visit some Scottish sheep.
After this pleasant, winding drive we finally arrived at Drumlanrig Castle. It was nothing like I expected, and although smaller and less opulent, it instantly reminded me of Versailles with the long tree lined drive and carefully maintained hedges and gardens. As soon as you turn the corner to the long drive leading up to it you suddenly feel you should be approaching by horse and carriage. I felt I should at least have a pair of coconut shells to bash together for effect.
We didn’t have the time to go inside the castle, but exploring the grounds was definitely worth the trip out.
I hope it won’t be another four years before my next visit to Scotland, but I do hope that the sense of adventure strikes us each time and we discover more of Scotland’s hidden gems in visits to come.