TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe New research published by the Passenger Shipping Association on what makes the ‘Greatest Journey,’ reveals that women need their creature comforts the most when it comes to travelling. Nearly half the women questioned (45%) admit that stress free travel and luxury all the way (41%) would be their idea of a great journey, compared to just over a third of men (39%)*.Two thirds (66%) of women also said that their reason for embarking on a great journey was to create unforgettable memories, while almost a third of men (30%) thought it was a good way to meet new people
Weekend Hotspot
www.glenappcastle.com Glenapp Castle built in 1870 with its towers, turrets, beautifully landscaped surroundings and walled garden is one of the most desirable places to stay in Scotland. Initially designed by Edinburgh architect David Bryce for the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire, James Hunter, it was sold to James Lyle Mackay, later to become the 1st Earl of Inchcape. Mackay’s kin owned the place until 1982, when it was bought by the estranged daughter of a Japanese billionaire who had provided the funds as reconciliatory act. The pair fell out again, however, and the castle fell into a state of chronic disrepair until the new owners Fay Mc Millan and her vetinary husband Graham Cowan bought it spending a full six years restoring this baronial pile back to its original splendour.. They are now custodians of a truly idyllic bolthole on the rugged Ayrshire coast looking across to Northern Ireland. The popular Mc Milan family involvement in hotels began in 1961, when Hammy McMillan, at that time running a building busi-
ness in Canada, noticed that the North West Castle in Stranraer was for sale. Built by Artic Explorer Sir John Ross, the house was well known to Hammy, who hails from Stranraer. He realised the potential the house would have as a hotel and bought the property. The family business split up in 1980 and the boys went there own ways. Hammy & Janet continued to run the North West Castle and formed McMillan Hotels which purchased the Cally Palace Hotel in September 1981, Kirroughtree House in July 1992, Fernhill Hotel in December 1998, Glenapp Castle opened in April 2000 and more recently Peebles Hydro and the Park Hotel, Peebles in November 2004. Glenapp Castles reputation is already well established in the UK and worldwide. When you step into the entrance hall you are greeted by red carpets, wood-paneled walls and a grand staircase. From here you will be guided through numerous stately rooms where afternoon tea is served or retire to the library to read your favourite novel or weekend newspaper. It’s all lavishly furnished like something out of “ Downton Abbey “ drama series and the uniformed staff know their place perfectly well. There are seventeen rooms at Glenapp all priced by their location in the building. Our suite with separate sitting room, full-size bathroom, huge Victorian bed and original period furniture made us immediately feel at ease in our regal surroundings looking out over the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig. .For a closer look at the beauty found outdoors, stroll through many acres of vibrant colours of rhododendron, passion flowers, cordylines, polyanthus and thistles – Scotland’s national flower. The castle
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grounds with a formal walled garden and glasshouses and a croquet lawn leading down to a pond transport you to a place of pure relaxation. Glenapp Castle is not visible from the road or surrounding area and access to the castle is controlled by an electronic gate system so only expected guests are given access to the castle grounds, guaranteeing a high level of privacy and exclusivity. A ll manner of country pursuits can be organised, even a falconry display and there is excellent shooting and stalking on Glenapp and nearby estates. It is also possible to take the whole castle over for special occasions like weddings or other family gatherings. Dining at Glenapp is equally special and foodies the world over will marvel at the creations of head chef Adam Stokes a Relais & Chateau trained professional and Michelin star winner. His nightly cooking runs to six courses at dinner & could include terrine of rabbit and morteau sausage with homemade piccalilli, roasted sea bass with fennel and dill purée, cockles and vanilla salad, & fillet of lamb with a tortellini of the shoulder, baby artichoke and rosemary jus. This gastronomical experience takes at least two hours to consume and for
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me rates as one of the most exceptional culinary experiences anywhere in the UK & Ireland. Winner of the coveted Most Romantic Hotel in Scotland Award. Glenapp Castle in Ballantrae on the west coast is about 90 minutes south of Glasgow and a two & a half hour journey across the Irish Sea on the new Stena Superfast ferry from Belfast. They offer various onboard facilities including Stena Plus for those wishing to travel in style. These extras include complimentary beverages and snacks, dedicated waiter service and use of touch screen PC’s and Apple iPads. Stena Line also offers fantastic onboard shopping; free Wi-Fi, movies and kids play areas. The Kevin Woodford Menu Range’ uses locally sourced, highest quality ingredients
and introduces a great selection of food and beverages also. Stena are also offering passengers the opportunity to experience their “Pure Nordic Spa” allowing you to feel rejuvenated and revived after a dip in the Jacuzzi, relaxation in the sauna or enjoying a range of invigorating massage treatments. The Stena Superfast “ carcation “ option centres around using the family car as one of the main focal points of your holiday and the freedom it provides to bring unlimited luggage. On this trip I quickly learnt that ferry travel is one of the most relaxing ways to holiday. It’s such a unique, enjoyable and stress-free travel experience and I intend to do it again soon. To book a car-cation click on www.stenaline.co.uk A reminder also throughout
vised in the presence of children also. A calm, quiet dog, sleeping on a mat, could end up biting the face of a child if the child tripped on the mat and fell on the dog suddenly. The dog would not only get a fright, it would be hurt. It would also be disorientated because it was asleep and may think it was being attacked. A normal dog, under these circumstances could easily turn around instinctively and “attack back”. A dog is an animal, it will react like an animal. It cannot be blamed for this. If you take an animal into your home then you are responsible for its actions. You cannot leave it to its own devices and hope for the best.
October, Glenapp Castle are offering their, ‘3 nights for the price of 2’ package from £430.00 per person for the first two nights with your third evening’s Dinner, Bed and Breakfast free of charge. This package includes three nights luxury accommodation in a” Garden View” Room, a six course gourmet dinner on your first evening in the Michelin Star restaurant. Also a three course gourmet dinner on two evenings & full Scottish breakfast each morning. enquiries@glenappcastle.com Robert Walshe is Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland & a travel broadcaster with the Q Radio Network in Northern Ireland www. robertwalshe.com
Weekly Best Buy Escape this winter and indulge in a selfcatering holiday at the five-star Lodge at Doonbeg, Co. Clare. Each self-catering links cottage can sleep between two and eight people with prices starting at €380 for two people for three nights (November to December). All bedrooms are en-suite with walk in rain showers and boast a fully-equipped kitchen, large dining and lounge area which
with Kathleen Murray
A dog that’s good with children? Families that have young children often ask “What is a good dog to get for children?” The answer is “any dog” or “no dog“. There is no single dog breed that is better than others for children. Even if a dog is brought up in a family with children there is no guarantee that the dog will always be safe around them. Children are a nightmare for some dogs. If the child is young, it will not have a clue about how to behave around dogs. It will pull the dogs hair, poke its eyes or nip it. Children need to be constantly supervised in the presence of a dog. Dogs need to be constantly super-
Living
This is not fair to the dog or the child. Dogs must learn how to handle certain situations. It doesn’t come naturally to them. Children must learn that dogs are not cuddly toys that they can trust. Children and animals must be taught to respect each other, so if the child or dog is too young, then constant adult supervision is a must. Children and dogs are like magnets to each other so work needs to be done to ensure the safety of both. Children can be very cruel when they are about two or three years old. This is a natural development but it needs to be checked so that the child learns to share with others and become a “good citizen”.
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Children need to be constantly supervised in the presence of a dog. Dogs need to be constantly supervised in the presence of children also.
Young dogs go through the same so they need to be taught also. If you put these two untamed young lives together, unsupervised, you will have trouble.
are ideal for families and groups looking for a relaxing break. For those who like to be pampered, the award winning White Horses Spa is guaranteed to leave any guest feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. There are also a host of other things to do such as abseiling and caving; or simply enjoying the stunning scenery at the Cliffs of Moher or the world renowned Burren. reservations@doonbeglodge.com