Thursday 5 May

I stayed 2 nights in Kirkudbright. 

The quay at low tide

For several days, having unsuccessfully searched all the charity shops and 2nd hand book shops, I gave in when I got to Kirkudbright and bought a new copy of Dorothy L Sayers’ Five Red Herrings. I’ve read it a number of times but having just visited a number of the places used in the book I just had to do so again – and am enjoying it so much more.

Dorothy L Sayers’ stayed here

Kirkudbright is a joy even in the rain.  It has one of the best sort of museums - which are becoming increasingly rare - almost a jumble, full of stuffed birds, blown eggs, pinned butterflies, stuffed fish, ancient agricultural instruments and generally wonderful stuff and just the place to spend an hour or two on a wet day.

The Stewartry Museum

There is also Broughton House, a fine house before it was bought by one of the Scottish artists “the Glasgow Boys”. He built on a studio and a gallery and redesigned the garden.  He travelled to Japan so his art and his garden was influenced by Japan. Kirkudbright  became an artists’ colony and a visit to the Tolbooth Arts Centre was worthwhile.

Broughton House – front

and back

The gardens

 

I wouldn’t want to clean this door furniture

 

Jessie M King’s house – artist/book illustrator

Artists’ studios

I moved on to The Trossachs the next day.  HoweverI must go back to Dumfries and Galloway sometime soon.