Just a quick note to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day!
As a gift to you, here are all the flowers I’ve seen during this month so far!
February is unveiling all kinds of colour. Love is definitely in the air 🫶🏾
© The Scottish Pearl 2023
I often take morning walks. I try to catch the sunrise so my success is somewhat inconsistent. But when I do get it right, Mother Nature puts on an amazing show. On this particular morning, I walked along the Warriston Path to Granton.
Although the morning was overcast, it was good to see splashes of Autumn colours along the trail. .
I have walked this path to Granton countless times and yet when I reach the water, I still get a sense of wonder.
Just beautiful
I was also graced with the last of the wildflowers patch!
Is there a better way to start your mornings?
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
Although I have visited Dunfermline several times, I had not walked their famous park, Pittencrieff Park. It was time to do just that.
Walking towards the park, it was a true delight to go through the centre where the City Chambers building dominates the skyline. It has a wonderful presence as it punctuates the High Street.
Like Edinburgh, Dunfermline has delightful green spaces right in the middle of the city centre. Pittencrief park is perhaps the most prominent one. Often referred to as “The Glen” by the locals.
The park and the estate were a gift to the people of Dunfermline from Andrew Carnegie in 1903. Pittencrief house stands majestically within the grounds.
The park is known for its peacock sanctuary and consequently one of the popular attractions is the fact that peacocks roam free in the park.
I was thrilled to see both white and colouful blue peacocks wandering the park.
We were privileged to also witness a mother with her babies, housed safely inside the sanctuary.
Roaming the Greenhouse and surrounding gardens was delightful.
I could not leave without walking along the glen.
There is something about hearing and walking beside water. Right? It is so soothing. It is like a gentle mind massage. At least these were the feelings that emerged while I enjoyed the walk in this tranquil woodland.
What a lovely park.
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
I had planned to return to Haddington in Spring but life had other plans for me. As a result, Spring came and went with very little walking in beautiful Scotland. So when I saw plans for a group walk last week for Haddington, I jumped at it.
Haddington is truly a pretty town. After walking through the town centre, one passes a small dam and river Tyne next to the malting site.
With a short walk, we were surrounded by beautiful countryside.
As we continued to walk, we had an unexpected surprise. Amisfield Walled Gardens.
This garden lies just outside Haddington town. Dating from the late 18th century, it is one of the largest walled gardens in Scotland. I had no idea that this was there. It had large herbaceous borders, fruit and vegetable beds/orchards, wildflower meadow and woodland plantings.
A great find indeed. I could not get over all the apples! Especially those that climbed the walls.
Given the year we had, with so little rain and record breaking temperatures, it was lovely to see so many beautiful flowers.
The wall gardens were truly delightful. We continued our walk across the old bridge towards St Mary’s Church.
Linked to the church is another walled garden! Known as St Mary’s Pleasance.
As we entered this garden, we were greeted by an inviting hedge maze with views of the surrounding countryside.
The garden was divided into different areas or rooms by tree-lined paths which gave it a sense of mystery and anticipation.
What a delightful and rewarding walk. Truly one of discovery 🙌🏾
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
It has been a while since my last post. Life has a way of catching up with you and in my case I had to put my focus elsewhere for a while. Now that I have returned a little recharging is required.
So I took a quick walk to see the cherry blossoms at the Meadows in Edinburgh.
They never disappoint. They always put on a good show.
Even the familiar distance views looked better with a splash of colour.
It was a short visit this time but worthy of the trip.
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
I absolutely love seeing the daffodils at London Road Gardens in Edinburgh.
Nothing says Spring like these gentle slopes of sunshine smack bang in the middle of the city!
I absolutely love it.
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
