Katie's Blog

The five of us who rambled today enjoyed our walk in the Chatelherault Country Park.  This was part of the Hamilton estate, and their Palace was regarded as once of the most impressive stately homes, but subsidence led to it being demolished in the 1920s.

We set off from the Hunting Lodge which has a “shed” which was used to keep a leopard of one of the Dukes of Hamiliton.  Early on we saw some Cadzow long horn cattle which are descendants of cows introduced into the country probably by the Romans.  Thid led to various discussions on the walk and in the café (with the help of Google) about our ability to identify cattle breeds.

We walked down to and along the River Avon before going over it on the Old Duke’s Bridge – although which of the Old Dukes it was, I have no idea.  We went past the remains of Cadzow Castle which was given to the Hamiltons by Robert the Bruce and was besieged when Mary Queen of Scots was staying there.

We had a late coffee stop at the Duke’s monument, one who was around in the first half of the 1700s.  We then walked to the Cadzow Oaks which are 700 – 800 years old, some of the oldest trees in Scotland.

Lunch was at a viewpoint over the valley complete with seats.  Just before it we had a two-minute shower before the sun came back out.  We continued to the Green Bridge back over the Avon, climbed up a lot of steps and made our way back to the visitor centre and its very pleasant café.

Walk leader- Katie

Photos coutesey of Katie. To see all photos, follow this link     A Ramble in Chatelherault Country Park