We arrive in Ayr. You can't tell, but the wind is about 40 km/hr and it's freakin' cold.
Converted church in Ayr. Lots of beautiful sandstone buildings - many built at the turn of this century.
Street in Ayr. All of these homes would have been dressed snadstone originally.
The "Bathhouse" in Ayr. This is the main square.
Right now, we are being blasted with sand and wind and our ears hurt.
The waves weren't too bad, considering the wind.
We were the only ondes crazy enough to be n the beach, except for the dog walkers.
That's Arran out there. Of the wool, sweater pattern and whisky.
See. Dog walkers are nuts.
A different look of Scotland. Bluffs.
I liked the wysteria (?) on this house.
Now a different castle entirely: Calzean Castle - completely intact/restored - redone in the 1700s by Robert Adam so his architecture and interiors are all there - a view into a period in the past. But this is just the visitor center :)
Outside of the chapel at Culzean Castle. It's well away from the castle proper, but judging from the history of the Kennedy family who were the owners, I'm not sure they spent much time here anyway.
You can see Arran and Ailsa Craig (curling granite!) from the castle grounds.
Culzean Castle.
The grounds have tons of walking paths. This vine is almost like Art Nouveau design.
I think they built this little porch for kids to view the tree. Those are upside down trees with roots.
The main gate to Culzean Castle.
Culzean Castle. Notice the symmetry - very important in Robert Adam design.
In the Castle garden.
View from the castle garden. It's a very impressive home.
The side garden at Culzean Castle. Palm trees do grow in Scotland!
Arch at Culzean Castle.
From the courtyard at Culzean Castle.
Toward the sea view wall at Culzean Castle.
Stone flowers.
Neptune?
Even the cannons are pretty at Culzean Castle.
Looking at the beach view in Culzean Castle.
Square head nails. No idea what they are there for.
Side view of Culzean Castle.
Looking into the side garden at Culzean Castle.
It was a really nice day, as you can tell.
Looking out and down.
Baby ferns.
Where the pretty people strolled. No doubt.
Gorgeous flowers.
The pond was not so nice - a little greenish.
No idea what the spiky red thing is, but the crawling flowers are gorgeous.
Like this shot. Very upward movement.
Looking out from the sea wall.
Flag is still flying.
Walled garden at Culzean Castle.
Liked this gate.
Walled garden at Culzean Castle. That tree has a tale or two to tell.
Just some pretty flowers.
Something from the Paleozoic era or what? Walled garden at Culzean Castle.
Rock garden.
A little archway in the walled garden at Culzean Castle.
This cottage in the walled garden is actually a residence. Probably the gardener. Sweet deal.
Most complicated sundial evar. Probably can calculate Pi to 26 digits.
Swan Pond at Culzean Castle.
And therefore, swans.
Much of the Swan Pond is lily padded.
That's a biggun.
Um. I don't think you're supposed to aim AT the castle.
Walked down to the beach at Culzean Castle.
The beach was sand and shells. Beautiful little spot where the locals like to come as well.
Flowers by the beach house and caves.
Beach area at Culzean Castle.
Beach at Culzean Castle.
Little wave coming in.
That's Ailsa Craig in the distance.
Beach rock.
I feel like there should be music here for some reason.
The bath house at Culzean Castle.
I looked for creatures in the tidal pool but didn't find any.
Little cave at Culzean Castle beach.
The stairs down. This is just one flight.
The paths and gardens were really lovely.
