We are in our last week now, we have revised itinerary a little, I knew I had one castle left I HAD to get back to, and then had left things more flexible for exploring Paisley as that is where my lovely brides family was from. But this castle had eluded me previously, sort of. Here is the saga: I had graduated, all my stuff was packed and I had 3 or 4 days before my flight home. Last chance trip essentially. I spent a night in Tranent east of Edinburgh, then toured several Abbey's and Rosslyn Chapel on my way out of town intending to make Hermitage Castle my last stop before my B&B in Lockerbie. I headed through Hawick and thought I turned on the correct single track road to take me here. Unfortunately I turned one turn too late, and by the time I realized my error I simply had to proceed on the road I was on to the A9 then circle back. Unfortunately, that cost my a great deal of time. I arrived just as the castle was about to close, I begged a few minutes to quickly run in and took a couple of photos. Then tried to get a few more exterior shots as a storm rolled in. I remember that it was kind of a creepy castle with a dark history and the storm added to the atmosphere. It was not until the next day that I realized that when I had put a new roll of film in at Jedburgh Abbey it never started winding on the take up reel. I ended up never taking an actual photo at several places. I was gutted. Especially as the area around this castle had played a large part in the finish of the series "The Adept" that I had been enjoying during my time in school. 

Due to the circumstances of the whole thing I was really, really determined that this castle would not be missed. I placed it as our first stop and we made it in good time. Funnily, it was starting to drizzle a little as we got there and I ended up getting quite wet, just like that first visit. Not one to let Scottish weather deter me, especially as my camera is water resistant, I headed out, lovely bride not desiring to brave the weather and frankly being castled out I think, staying in the car. 

Hermitage, is a particularly brooding and unbeautiful fortification and not intended to be beautiful. It was built to display power and instill fear on behalf of he who owns it. You can google the legends and stories if you desire I doubt I could do them justice as well as other sources. What I wanted to capture was the fortress, the projection of power, the feel of the place.

The mound is, I think, a newer addition, I could be wrong, I see it as a safe spot from artillery/canons and a place to shoot them from at the enemy. It does not fully surround the castle either.   

I believe there was once a doorway for the main entrance to the left, with the stoneworks providing cover for the soldiers raining stones, arrows and/or boiling pitch on those attempting to climb the stairs to the door.    

To my understanding, this was a more recent "Main" Entrance, I really don't think it was meant to be welcoming. Again fortress of an agent of the king to secure the lowlands and southern border of Scotland.    

The remains of a circular stair partially inset into the wall. The interior had a sense of closeness and less spaciousness than other castles I have visited. However, with the upper levels not being intact it is difficult to say what the layout was. Notice how thick the walls are, The arrow slit window on the left is impressive!

The lowest levels were kitchens, storage areas and servants quarters, but even with that, this feels... tight? There was just a sense of oppression I guess is the best word. Or maybe weight.   

Reluctantly, moving on to Sweetheart Abbey, for a brief stop. It is in a cute little village, that I think could be called "New Abbey" but is not officially named. I would have loved to see it in it's glory intact and in use.   

Just a few houses lined the street through town, walking down to the New Abbey Corn Mill, was just a pleasure.   

We then moved on to Kircudbright, one of the larger towns in the southwest, lovely bride had family that lived there and we were eager to explore.   

The Kircudbright Parish Church was lovely and there were several very helpful people that my wife got to talk to and learn more about the town.

I found the interior to be particularly interesting, much less plain than the cathedrals we had been visiting.  

Seeing as the church was more plain, the splash of color from the single stained glass window seemed extra lovely, maybe less IS more?  

I still am not sure if I overworked this, but desaturating all but the window and emphasizing the light on the pews FELT like the right choice. It looks better the larger the viewing medium. I think as a print it would lose the more subtle shadow details, but on a large screen it looks fabulous!   

For some reason by GPS did not get a fix and record the location of this castle, that looks like it is functioning as a Hotel. I really like the setting though.  

We stayed for the next several nights in a small town called Irvine on the west coast south of Glasgow, in a cute B&B and with a nearby beach it seemed to be just right for us.   

Sunset walk on the beach was a fantastic ending to our day. The statue seems to be a man in a small boat rowing into a wave. It seemed a fitting memorial to the many fishermen who risked their lives off the coast.   

Thanks for reading and taking the time, comment if you have questions!