Travel Junkie Girl

21/06/2025

Unlike most places on the remote Mull of Kintyre, you definitely won't be completely alone at Saddell Bay as there's an Antony Gormley figure called 'GRIP' situated on the rocks at the southern end of the beach.

One of the 5 sculptures Gormley produced for the 'LAND' project in 2015, this is the only one still in situ. The figures were only meant to be in place for a year, however an anonymous benefactor bought the Kintyre figure to remain in place at Saddell Bay.

Unlike Gormley's iron men at Crosby Beach, 'GRIP' stays completely dry, except under exceptional high tides and stormy waves. However he does become stranded on the rocks he's on. So if you want to get close to the statue, you need to visit at (or close to) low tide.

Saddell Beach is a beauty to explore too - wild and remote with epic views of the Isle of Arran and the conical island of Aisla Craig, which you can see in Photo 3.

You'll also see Saddell Castle which is being renovated by The Landmark Trust to be self catered accommodation. (Photos 10, 11 & 14)

🚗 To visit Saddell Beach, you do have to park by the main coast road - there are half a dozen spaces just by the entrance to the Saddell Castle access road. It's then just shy of a mile's walk down a tree lined road to reach the beach. (Photo 15)

Saddell was a definite 'must visit' on my Kintyre hols... 💜 Would it be on yours?

10/06/2025

A great little 'out and back' walk on the Mull of Kintyre 💜

Walking from Campbeltown along the coast to Macringan's Point gives amazing views over Davaar Island. I didn't get to visit Davaar Island as unfortunately no dogs are allowed on the island, so I had to content myself with getting the best views of it!

There is an excellent path most of the way along to the point. It's just the last quarter where it moves to a grassy path followed by a small section where you have to fight your way through bushes, whilst going up, with some large steps to negotiate. Once through that though, you're onto the grassy slope down to the point, which is open access, so pick a sheep trail and follow! (The grass is very long!)

Once you've had your fill of Davaar Island, head to the northern side of Macringan's Point, for a spectacular view looking up the coast and across the water to the Isle of Arran (photos 8 - 10)

You can see the ruins of Kilchousland Chapel from here too (photo 11). I had hoped to pick my way round to the chapel but I came up against too many barbed fences and high padlocked gates to be able to get across the couple of fields that separated us. Whilst I know you have the right to roam in Scotland, I was not battling these particular barriers.

The last photo shows the view & path walking back to Campbeltown.

📍 There is a free carpark area at the eastern most point of Campbeltown at the old shipyard. You access it from the end of Low Askomill Walk. The footpath starts from here.

➡️ There are a couple of gates along the path and beyond the final gate, where the footpath becomes grassy is where you'll start to encounter sheep, so make sure dogs are on a lead at this point.

🚶🏼‍♀️3.5 miles out and back

📌 Save for your Scotland walks inspiration! 💖

28/05/2025

Overjoyed to spot a sculpture within minutes of being in Campbeltown! 🤩

This is "The Cask" sculpture and overlooks Campbeltown Loch with Davaar Island perfectly aligned and framed when looking through the centre of the rings.

The sculpture was installed in 2022 and reflects the copper straps of a baraille, (Gaelic for cask). Baraille were instrumental in the herring and whisky industries which Campbeltown thrived on.

While the Herring industry has disappeared today, whisky production is still very much alive, so much so, there are 3 world-famous distilleries in and around Campbeltown... Not bad for a small town! 🙌🏼

The Cask was commissioned to mark the southern end of the Caledonia Way, a coast-to-coast cycle route through stunning Highland landscapes to Inverness 234 miles north of Campbeltown.

👉🏼 Look out for The Cask if you're visiting Campbeltown and follow me for more things to see and do in Kintyre!

23/05/2025

Looking for a beach that you'll have all to yourself?...
With gorgeous sand...
Picnic site perfection...
With free parking next to it....
And public loos nearby...
Open to dogs all year round!

Welcome to Keil Beach...
On the Mull of Kintyre 💜 Scotland 😍

One of the southern most easily accessible beaches in Kintyre...
With fabulous views over Sanda Island, along the Mull and on clear days like this - to Northern Ireland in the distance!

On busy days, you may see half a dozen other people. What more could you want from a paddle and picnic spot?!
It works for me!
The Mull of Kintyre delivers again! 🥰👌🏼

👉🏼 Follow me to keep an eye out for more places to visit in Kintyre and see what else made me fall in love with this off the beaten track peninsula! 🧡

08/05/2025

Here's what going on the guided bluebell walk at Arley Hall in Cheshire looks like! 💙

It's an area of the wider estate that is normally off limits to the public and only open for a few days a year during bluebell season.

The walk takes 2 hours and covers 2.7 miles. I expected more bluebells for something that is called a 'bluebell walk', however there were a couple of areas deep in the woodlands where the blue carpets were present and that was a joy. 🤩

Personally, I think you are more paying for the guided walk aspect where you get to discover the series of Arley ponds and hear all sorts of interesting details about the family and estate from knowledgeable guides. Questions are welcomed at any point. The bluebells are just the cherry on the top.

The walks are finished for 2025, but should you be interested in discovering secret Arley next year, the guided bluebell walk costs £23 for an adult and includes entry into the gardens and your parking. Dogs are welcomed on the walk and everywhere in the gardens too which is always a plus for me! 🐕

Have you discovered these hidden parts of Arley Hall before?

📍Save for your Cheshire travel inspiration!

26/04/2025

Sun setting over Mary's Shell, my fave place on the Fylde coast and one I revisit several times a year. 🧡

I'm gutted there is now a wave breaker barrier of rocks set behind the shell so it ruins the view a little bit for me, though I'm sure it's been done to protect the shell long term from a battering by the waves.

At high tide, the shell is partially submerged, though I've not seen it yet at high tide with the rocks in place, so I've no idea if they are still visible or if the tide covers them. 🌊

If anyone reading this knows the answer, please comment and let me know! 🥰

23/04/2025

Views from the Acropolis! 🤩

Acropolis means highest point, and so there are many Acropolis's around Greece, however these are the views from the famous one in Athens.

You really can see the whole city from up here and spot lots of famous attractions and places you'll find you're just itching to go explore once you've walked down from the Acropolis again.

These include the ancient Agora, the Roman Forum, the Acropolis museum, Lycabettus Hill, the Church of Agia Marina, Philopappos Hill, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and of course - the very enticing coastline towards Piraeus which you can see in photos 4 - 6.

Yes, the Acropolis is the most enticing thing to do when you visit Athens, but as you'll see from the top - there is so much more to see and do, and I only just scratched the surface.

I did not want to leave the Acropolis as between the history and stunning architecture and archaeological sites up there, together with the views, it stole just a little bit of my heart and my eyes just could not get enough! 💜

23/03/2025

The main reason I had to visit Athens one day!
The Parthenon! 🏛️

The ultimate in Greek temples dating back to the 5th century BC, and the subject of one my GCSE art projects back in the day, where I drew the Parthenon in great detail. Ever since then, I've wanted to see the real thing, and now, I finally have! 💜

Just a shame there was scaffolding on the west front, but it didn't dampen my excitement at seeing this amazing feat of engineering and architecture!

The Parthenon sits high up on the Acropolis rock right in the centre of Athens. Acropolis means the highest point, and it certainly seems like it as the views from it are superb (I'll post those photos next!)

Just being so close to such a building is tremendous. There are many other temples and archaeological sites on the Acropolis, so it's well worth the €10 fee to explore them all.
Note: This is the out of season price. In April, the entrance fee doubles for the summer season.

Follow me for more Athens (and particularly Acropolis) content as I've got loads to share! 🏛️

21/03/2025

Snaps from my first evening in Athens.

Can't believe how lucky we got with our hotel: The Athens Gate. We got upgraded to a top floor room with our own terrace facing the Acropolis - I'm missing the view already!

We went out for a wander from the hotel and to find food and happened across so many archaeological sites, including Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus, remains of the Roman Baths and a Roman Stoa.

We also passed the Zappeion Hall which was built in the 1880's for the first modern Olympic Games, and is now used as a conference centre.

We found a wonderful outdoor restaurant, with tables all around an old square and ate traditional Greek fare with homemade wine and local beer.

A perfect first eve!

Flick to photo 13 for a rare piccie of Mr TJG!

And see the Acropolis at night in the last photo!
Still can't get over that view! 💜

01/03/2025

Just over a week left to see Mars at the Museum, currently at Norton Priory in Cheshire until the 9th March.
Read all about it here...

Norton Priory Museum & Gardens

See Luke Jerram's Mars at the Museum installation at Norton Priory and get a feel as to what it would be like to step foot on the red planet!

03/02/2025

Mars at the Museum has landed at Norton Priory! 🤩

At over 6 metres in diameter, this amazing artwork by Luke Jerram fills the atrium of Norton Priory's visitor centre and will be there until the 9th March.

Mars features 120dpi NASA imagery created from data by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This allows us to view Mars as if we were satellite mapping the surface of the planet ourselves in detail. You can see all the valleys, craters, mountains and volcanoes up close and personal.

Mars at the Museum is just over 1 million times smaller than the real thing, with each centimetre of it's surface representing 11km on the actual surface of Mars. This really puts into perspective just how big some of those craters really are in comparison to ones we know of on Earth.

The artist says:
"I hope that visitors will feel transported to its inhospitable desert wasteland and in comparison, really value our life on Earth."

The giant inflated Mars sphere is internally lit and spins very slowly allowing you to see the whole thing without having to move around it.

What is great at Norton Priory is the ability to access the upper floor so you can view Mars from above and from all points up the open staircase, meaning you can see just about every possible angle of the spinning planet except from immediately underneath.

Being internally lit also means it looks amazing at night, however I only visited during the day, so I may just have to pop back during the evening hours to see it.

While Mars is at Norton Priory, opening hours are extended until 7pm to allow viewings in the dark.

NOTE: CLOSED WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

See the Priory's website for all the Mars and space themed events that are happening while the exhibit is on.

The whole experience of Mars at the Museum is rather extraordinary really and if you're anything like me, you'll just want to stare at it for hours. It is completely mesmerising.

Luke Jerram's intention is to take us closer to Mars and give us a feel as to what it might be like to set foot on the red planet, and I'd say, he's done a mighty fine job of that! 😍

Have you seen Mars at the Museum yet?

18/01/2025

Finally got to try the afternoon tea at Bents Garden Centre today and I was pleasantly surprised by the desserts in particular! 👌

The savoury course came on separate plates to start with including an individual cheese and onion quiche with chutney set into it.

Then a plain scone with plenty of clotted cream & strawberry jam - the scone was moist and very tasty and a pretty decent size too! 🍓

The desserts were very different to typical ones offered on many afternoon teas.

The macaron was next level - caramelised on the top and filled with lemon cream and a layer of caramel.

The mini cake was like a trifle cake. Raspberry and orange was set into fruit jelly on top of a cinnamon carrot & orange cake. From what I could tell, the carrot flavour was actually in the cream layer. It was quite something and a real delight.

Initially, we thought the chocolate covered one was a profiterole or teacake style dessert, however I was surprised by just how heavy it was when I picked it up... it was actually pure rich chocolate mousse! Wickedly amazing! 🤩

Accompanied by as much tea or coffee as you wanted, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I will always remember that chocolate mousse! 💜

Note: Advance booking required.
Check Bents Garden & Home website for availability.