Threave

 


They had such descriptive names in older times.  If you had a descriptive added to your name by which you would be forever known what would it be?

I'd be Fred the Frivolous.

The castle and its island are part of a Scottish National Trust nature reserve. Some wood carver who knows their creatures has contributed two bench seats along the path from the park-up to the boat jetty.
Buzzard and otter

Kingfisher and heron



Kite, owl, red squirrel and badger

Woodpecker and deer

Bench in the nature reserve.


Boat jetty en route to Threave Castle
On a morning that was calmer than calm we visited the ruins of Threave Castle. A short boat trip to the island in the river Dee (not the same River Dee that Nobby and Gail know.  I am advised by a local of Dumfries, that Nobby's river is The Royal Dee.)

On the little island itself, the freedom from the sounds of a modern world was complete and the silence was like a warm blanket.  Warm sunshine, no breeze at all, and having the place to ourselves completed the enjoyment of the visit.  

All sorts of military history, developments in forifications, power struggles (read 'full on battles', shooting at one another, that kind of thing) between various Scottish power families, seiges, ... centuries of it ..... fill out the history of the place. I mean why else would you build yourself a fortified home, with gunports and curtain walls, on an island in a deep river unless you don't trust your class mates not to covet your estates and influence?

Nature is reclaiming it these days.  There is a peregrine's nest at the top of the tower and evidence of their last meal scattered in feathered disorder at the base of the north wall.  A heron flew by, red kites whirled overhead. According to the very chatty hobby wildlife photographer I encountered on the return stroll, this river is well stocked with salmon and trout, but the National Trust doesn't permit any fishing. 

Comments

  1. Feeling the silence like a warm blanket. Yes! A journey worth making, a boat ride and a deserted castle with wheeling birds of Prey. Marvellous. And those wood carvings of course are pieces of art to be marvelled at

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  2. Only 45 miles south of here! Funny how one doesn't always get to more local places.
    Chainsaw carving is fascinating to watch...it's an awesome skill

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  3. What a gem of a place. It's energising to be in a place where there are no man-made sounds, apart from voices.

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  4. I too like the feeling the silence like a warm blanket and that is how we feel in our mild winter days when this cold and the hot sun wraps us as we sit against the wall to break the cold wind.
    love that perfect reflection and wow wow wow on the two benches. truly gifted artist
    each time I hear people talking about praying for peace and what a horrid world we are in because everyone is at war, I think, war has been a part of humans lives since the beginning of time and will only become peaceful when humans are gone or there is only one left. anything 2 or more, there will be war.
    I would love to visit this castle.. about the name, Sandra the Silly? Sandra the Worrier..

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  5. What about: Dave the soil slave?

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  6. AMAZING craftmanship built in 1369 and still standing. The way the throw buildings up here that will never happen. The wood carvings are breathtaking
    Hugs Cecilia

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  7. Hari OM
    Yamini Mac the Dromaniac... xx

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  8. Such a beautiful castle. Unfortunately, an island secluded and protected from the rest of the world doesn't sound like a bad thing these days.

    The benches really caught my eye, such detail!! What a talented artist!
    Thanks for joining Nature Friday this week!

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  9. I had to smile at Archibald the Grim! Those wood carvings are incredible.

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