Cealarverock

Today dawned beautiful.  Sunny and pleasant and crisp.  Fall is setting in in earnest with cold enough nights to see your breath and snuggling in to our comfy bed is delicious!  Too bad it's without the benefit of true sleep.  I feel as though I've had caffeine every night and I haven't.  But I'm giving it my best shot without taking sleeping pills....well, maybe a half sleeping pill every now and again.  I don't like feeling dependent on pills.

We decided to leave Moffat today and explore so we chose moated Caerlaverock Castle between Dumfries and Annan about 30 to 35 miles away.  Caerlaverock, pronounced car-lava-rock, was built in the 1200's and family owned by the Maxwell family.  The Castle sits on the edge of the Solway Firth (firth is a bay) across the Firth from England.  Perfect for invading!  And perfect for a Saturday visit.

Approaching the castle from the parking lot.

The moat to the right of the draw bridge, which doesn't "draw" any more.

The Maxwell coat of arms.

Stepping into the left turret.

And looking up into the turret used to defend the castle.

The right turret.

The ground floor is the kitchen; 2nd floor the grand hall and the top floor the Maxwell family quarters.

Through the archway is the entry surrounded by a moat.

Rear moat.

A tiny entrance to Murdochs tower named for the prisoner kept without heat.

Damp moss grows on the walls.

Trapped in Murdoch's Tower!

With only this view.

You can see fireplaces that were in every story in every room.

Up to the family quarters and great hall.

The view from the top around the moat and surrounding valley.

View from the walk toward the Firth.

It starting raining just as we completed out visit and we drove to Annan because we've never been.  Just another Scottish city.  On our way back into Moffat we stopped to buy tickets to the local theater production but it was sold out so went in to the Stag for a pint and made reservations at the Buccleuch for next Sunday night when we have friends visiting.  We ended up having a chicken curry at a local restaurant for dinner and home to watch a movie.

Tomorrow we're shooting for Jedburgh Abbey and Sunday Roast in Melrose.  It's supposed to be a beautiful day!