Firstly we head to Skipton and then take the A65 to the M6 Motorway, which we join and then head northwards. We usually take a break at the Southwaite Services, which is situated between J41 and J42. By now we have travelled approximately ninety five and a half miles. We usually arrive hear about 1 hour and 40 minutes after we have left home. Dot & I will have a walk round the W H Smith shop, to stretch our legs, whilst Ruby has chance to stretch her legs and, if necessary, relieve her bladder!
Eighteen miles further north we join the A75 approaching the village of Gretna Green, which was famed as the place where runaway couples could be married by the village blacksmith over the anvil. (This is in Scotland, and in olden times the marriage laws were quite different to those in England!)
The Gretna Green Blacksmith's Shop
Close up of the Blacksmith's Shop
We continue on the A75 to Dumfries, where we then join the A76, for about sixty three miles, passing through some beautiful Scottish Borders Scenery, before arriving on the outskirts of Kilmarnock. The town is famous for at least two reasons.
The farming community of the early fifties will remember the "Little Grey Fergie" a tractor held in high repute by farmers everywhere. From 1946 these tractors were built in Kilmarnock, with a large Massey-Harris factory present on the outskirts of the town. It later became Massey-Ferguson, before closing in 1978.
.jpg)
The Little Grey Fergie
The other reason for Kilmarnock's fame is a famous whisky brand - Johnny Walker, which was manufactured and bottled here until the end of 2011. When Diego - the present owners announced the closure of the bottling plant
Johnny Walker Red label
Our journey continues on the A71 to Irvine, Saltcoats and Ardrossan, where we pick up the ferry.
No comments:
Post a Comment