TRAVEL
BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
Gail Tolley and Anna Millar go adventuring, and cherry-pick some of the winter breaks and Hogmanay hangouts for
those looking to get away from it all
I f you’re looking to escape the Hogmanay street parties or simply get away over the winter break, Scotland has opportunities galore. Whether you want to bring in the New Year in a West Coast castle or snuggle up in a Perthshire log cabin, Scotland is alive with possibility for those seeking beautiful, easily accessible places. Sure, a quick google search offers an array of pricey city centre hotel packages for those looking for a hassle-free trip, but we like our experiences a little more rustic.
CASTLE OF PARK, GLENLUCE On the edge of the village of Glenluce, ten miles east of Stranraer, a track leads up behind an imposing viaduct. Castle of Park appears suddenly: an austere mass of stone with a scattering of red painted windows. Just as you’d expect, the castle key is a huge hunk of metal that opens the heavy wooden door with a long, slow creak. At this point even those with nerves of steel might begin to have second thoughts about spending a few days inside these 16th century walls. Thankfully any fears quickly evaporate once inside: this is one of the cosiest castles you’re likely to come across and hasn’t lost an ounce of character. From the grand entrance a spiral staircase leads up to the main hall, a vast room that forms the very heart of the building. There’s a huge open i re on one side (remember to bring some logs) and an equally impressive table that calls out for a banquet or two. Upstairs, the living
room offers a more intimate setting with comfy sofas and a well-stocked book shelf. There are also four bedrooms and three bathrooms, spread out over the castle’s i ve l oors.
What works so well here is the balance of raw edges you’d expect from a 500-year-old property (lime-washed walls, rope banisters and l agstone l oors) and touches of comfort just where you want them (deep baths, crisp sheets with thick blankets and a fully equipped kitchen to boot). It might be something to do with the 4ft walls or the open i res in most rooms, but this castle keeps wonderfully warm too, perfect for when venturing outside doesn’t seem like an attractive prospect. Beyond the stone walls there is plenty of scope for winter walking. Follow the footpath along the river to St Helena Island and the sandy Luce Bay or head north to the ruins of Glenluce Abbey, just over a mile away.
Castle of Park is owned by the Landmark Trust, a charity which invests in unusual buildings with historical signii cance and rents them out as holiday homes. Not only does it offer a chance to stay at some incredible places (everything from stately homes to converted barns grace the pages of their brochure) but your money goes to the upkeep of the property and others like it.
Before you leave don’t forget to look at the castle’s logbooks – hefty leather-bound entities i lled with tales of hide and seek, board games and late-night whisky drinking. Oh, and the odd ghost story too.
15 Nov–13 Dec 2012 THE LIST 27
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