Places to Rest and Recuperate
The Dairy at Daviot. We enjoyed our week here. The old dairy has been converted into very comfortable apartments. It was lovely to get up in the morning and watch the sun rise over the hills. The locals did their best to entertain, it has been a long time since I saw a hare close up and they don't come much closer than looking in the window! A stoat also appeared in the old stone wall checking out the nooks and crannies and every sunny morning the house martins and swifts swooped over the fields.
The Dairy is in a lovely part of Inverness near many National Trust and Historic Scotland properties and privately owned castles, so even on rainy days there is plenty to do. Situated near the Black Isle, it is worth the journey to visit Poyntzfield Herb Garden. I could have spent all day there among the herbs. There are various woodland walks and gardens to visit along Loch Ness. On the last day we found all the galleries. The inchmore gallery is a must. Set in a small church that has once been a soap factory, a mixture of sculpture and mixed medium art is displayed in small rooms. The day we arrived we were greeted by the artist owners. Nearby are Kilmorack and Beauly Galleries.
But if you just wish to rest and relax, then stay in the cottage and read, sit in the courtyard in the sun or stroll over the fields. A great place to unwind.
http:// www.dairyatdaviot.co.uk
Trigony Hotel, Dumfries.This is a lovely hotel to rest and relax in pleasant surroundings. A small hotel near Thornhill which boasts great food, comfortable rooms and a beautiful garden. We didn't see the red squirrels this time. We did do the Covenanters walk again. This takes you through a beech wooded gorge. Spot the antique grafity on the sandstone walls. Peer into the gorge and just enjoy the sheer uniqueness of the place. Do wear proper walking boots as the path can be quite slippy especially after the rain. Emerge into the fields of curious cattle and sheep - "look here comes another townie!" Actually I'm a country girl and enjoyed walking through the farm with the chickens and ducks and trying not to wake the field of sleeping tups! The grave yard is worth a visit, full of historic graves, though we didn't do it. By the time you have admired every herb, tree and flower and gathered the haws and rosehips it is definetely time for afternoon tea!
http:// www.trigonyhotel.co.uk
Herb Gardens to Visit and Order Herb plants or Seeds From
Poyntzfield Herb Garden. We visited on a bright sunny day and the smell of the aromatic herbs was overwhelming. It is a destination for medical herbalists and plant enthusiasts. There was an amazing vareity of rare and interesting herbs on offer. It was a bit like giving a starving man a menu. I had to keep reminding myself that my garden needs a total overhaul and that I shouldn't just buy everything I wanted. I did come home with a Ginkgo sapling and a Gotu Cola plant. If it ever stops raining I'll get up to my allotment and really sort things out.
http://www.poyntzfieldherbs.co.uk
Barwinnock Herbs Over the years I have ordered herbs for myself and my family. Initially I started only with culinary herbs but as my interest in medical herbs grew I ordered specifically medicinal herbs. Barwinnock sits high in the moors. It has been a long time since I visited but the garden was beautiful and was well worth the long drive to get there as the surrounding coutryside is stunning. Every year I compile a wish list but first I must sort my garden....
Butterworths Organic Nursery This is a treasure for those who love organic British apples.
I first met John and Donna when they visited the family orchard. He also produced an apple tree named after my dad (as he was the last one to tend it) Johnny Johnston. Sadly they didn't do well, though this year my tree flourished, I guess this summer's weather suited it. It was laden with it's small red apples. Don't ask for one they aren't available.
http://butterworthsorganicnursery.co.uk
Jekka's Herb Garden.I started off reading Jekka's books. Especially "Good Enough To Eat". This year I ordered seeds and have lots plants in pots waiting to get into this revamped garden. I like getting the newsletter full of useful tips. She has a good stock of interesting plants and seeds.
Suffolk Herbs In an attempt to rebuild my soil I have ordered some green manures and if it stops raining I'll get them in. I also ordered humming line. Last year the wood pigeons neatly pulled up all the field beans I had planted.
Thomas - thank you for permission to use the image of the Briar rose (Rosa eglanteria). Check out his site which has some beautiful images.