After Ayr, on my way to Dumfries, I visited Caerlaverock Castle which has a unique triangular shape and was involved in two major seiges, one in the time of Edward I (of England) and the second in the time of Charles I (of both Eng & Scot). After the second seige it was stripped of its defences and used as a dwelling (by the Maxwell family, same as Gavin Maxwell) rather than a fortification.
It was close to the site of a Roman Fort and very important strategically. However the sea has receded/shifted and trees have grown up and it is hard to see the importance of its position now.
Then on to Melrose Abbey, heavy with scaffolding, but still able to make out that one of the founders of Balliol College, Oxford is buried there.
Melrose is a pretty village and some of the stones used to build the cottages have come from the abbey.
Sadly it wasn’t operating. A static mill is not very stimulating.
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