Travelling with Nick: Gardens

As our last break of 2025, in mid September, my wife and I stayed at the Holiday Inn hotel in Dumfries. We normally travel north at this time of year either to Cumbria, Northumberland or North Yorkshire.

I was guided to Dumfries because I liked the look and the location of the hotel, plus the fact we had never been to Scotland before as a couple. It was a gamble that paid off handsomely; a great hotel with excellent breakfasts and evening meals and a great base for exploring the many treasures of that part of Scotland.

A little bit about the hotel and its location - The hotel was opened in late 2006 and comprised a repurposed Victorian building to which a modern extension was added.

It was first call the 'Aston' hotel, I would love to know why, because Aston is an "Old English" name meaning "Eastern Settlement" and such place names are to be found throughout England: Probably the most famous being the inner district of Birmingham of that name, home to Aston Villa Football Club and the Jacobean period 'Aston Hall'. Also the district where I grew up, I guess that is why the name of the hotel had such resonance with me. In 2014 the then owners took on the IHG Holiday Inn franchise and that is name the hotel has been known by ever since.

The hotel in located on the Crichton Estate on the southern edge of Dumfries. The Crichton Estate was established in the first half the 19th century by Elizabeth Crichton, the widow of wealthy Dr. James Crichton. James had trained and practiced as a doctor but it was his investment in the East India Company that was the source of his wealth.

He left £100,000 to his widow and her first ambition was to establish a university in Dumfries but the authorities did not allow her to do this. Her next and successful ambition was to establish a hospital caring for people with mental conditions. This was opened in 1829 and went on to become world famous for the practices it developed, caring for those who were afflicted with serious mental illness.

Ironically, Elizabeth's first ambition, to establish a University in Dumfries, came to fruition in the 21st century, on the estate she first established nearly 200 years previously.

In addition, the vast grounds of the former hospital are a joy to amble around, or even jog around if you are so inclined.

I mentioned at the beginning that the hotel proved to be a great base from which to explore the many treasures of the area. I hope the following photos provide you with some idea of what I am referring to -

The Crichton Estate

Holiday Inn Hotel

Memorial Church late 19th Century

Caerlaverock Castle

River Nith Estuary/Solway Firth

John Paul Jones Cottage/Museum

A Model of JPJ's ship the Bonhomme Richard

A model of John Paul Jones

JPJ's cottage - bedroom

A replica of JPJ's cabin on the Bonhomme Richard

JPJ's cottage - living room

Arbigland Gardens

Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens

The Douglas Crest - A Heart with wings
This is based on the legend that Sir James Douglas carried out the wishes of Robert the Bruce to take his heart on a 'Crusade'. In a battle with the Moors at Teba, Spain, in 1330, James and his Scottish troops were surrounded and about to be defeated. In one last heroic charge, James threw Bruce's heart at his enemies crying " Go ahead Brave heart and we will follow" before being killed himself.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little insight into the many treasures of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

Nick

Originally we were going to Cholmondeley Castle and Gardens for a Classic Car event to be held on Sunday 20th September. However, like so many similar events this year it had to be cancelled because of renewed Covid-19 concerns.

I had booked three nights at the Rossett Hall Hotel and I was going to make the most of it. We had intended to have a look at the Cholmondeley Castle Gardens while at the Classic Car event, so, now we could spend more time doing that and exploring the vast Cholmondeley Estate with all its magnificent features.

This is what the Cholmondeley Castle and Gardens website says about the estate -

"The Cholmondeley family have lived on these lands since Norman times, with the castle built in the early 19th century by the 1st Marquess. Nestled within historic parkland our 70acres of beautiful gardens offer magnificent displays through the seasons and are filled with colour and botanical delights. Discover the romantic Temple and Folly Water Gardens, Rose Garden, Glade, Arboretum and the ornamental woodland upon Tower Hill. The newly created Lavinia Walk is a 100m long double herbaceous border and is dedicated to Lady Lavinia Cholmondeley and continues her legacy within the heart of the garden. The Castle and gardens also provide a stunning backdrop to a host of great events held throughout the year, offering something for everyone."

At the end of our visit we felt that we had walked every inch of that part of the estate which is accessible to the public. It probably wasn't true but it certainly felt like, not in terms of feeling exhausted or having sore feet ("speak for yourself" says my wife) but in terms of all the different and varied things that we had seen.

One thing that I must recall is the chance encounter I had with a local resident. She was walking her dog up towards the castle. After exchanging pleasantries, she told me that her late husband rode with the local hunt for twenty five years; Lady Lavinia, Marchioness of Cholmondeley rode in the same hunt. The lady I was talking to was full of praise and admiration for the late Lady Lavinia and pointed out that it was her and her husband, Hugh, the 6th Marquiss of Cholmondeley, who was responsible for restoring the castle and gardens to the magnificent order they are in today. It was an enchanting meeting, I wish I had been bold enough to ask the lady her name.

Let the following photos tell their own story -