Belfast City Trip October 2025..

As promised a return to Belfast after our enjoyable trip in February, we wanted to visit places and attractions  that we did not have time to visit on that previous trip.

From Kirkcudbright its not a problem to drive down to Cainryan Port, park the car for approximately £6 per day in the large on site car park, and board the Stena Line Ferry. From the Northern Ireland port you can get a 96 bus straight into the centre of the city.

Belfast is a very busy city with lots of shops and places to eat including the Best fish and chip shop in Belfast John Longs.

The Falls and Divis Street was a previous highlight, so to keep a balance we decided to explore the Shankill Road and walk through some of the back streets. Must be honest it did not have the same feeling as the Falls, it seemed cold and unwelcoming, or perhaps it was just me or the vast mount of the Union Flags?   But it is certainly a strong unionist/loyalist area as witnesses by the wall plaques and art and has an obvious loyalty to the UK and the English King.

During the troubles this area was the centre of loyalist activity with the Ulster Volunteer Force based in this area. Its alleged the UVF leader, Gusty Spencer was responsible for the murder of catholics in this area. 

Another well known resident of the Shankill was a certain Mr Lenny Murphy who led the infamous Ulster loyalist gang The Shankill Butchers until the Provisional IRA put a stop to his activities. 

You can walk through to the Falls from the Shankill during the day but not between 20.30 and 6.30 when the security gates are still closed and locked. every night.

Also on our inventory was the Crumlin Road Gaol. I must admit we found to be an affecting experience. The Gaol closed its doors as a working prison in 1996 having housed men, women and children since 1845. At the start of the Troubles circa 1969 and internment without trail from 1971 brought a sudden and dramatic increase in the prison population, which was to last for many years.

Each cell was  originally designed for single occupancy and in 1849 the capacity was 320. During the 1970’s and 80’s the prison population would reach 1400. During this time it was not uncommon to have 3 prisoners to a cell with still no sanitation in the cells and therefore ‘slopping out’!

We thought the most daunting place in the prison was where the hangman performed his duties. During  the lifetime of the gaol seventeen men were executed and their bodies buried within the prison walls. Apparently it was part of of the death sentence to be buried in an unmarked grave in unconsecrated ground. (As if hanging wasn’t enough punishment) Hanging continued at Crumlin Road until 1961. Two men were sentenced to death in 1973 but both had their sentences commuted down to jail time.

Interestingly the Crumlin Road Courthouse is directly opposite the Gaol and prisoners were taken to the court direct from the prison via a tunnel under the road. 

The Belfast Odeon was showing I Swear, so after a meal at Nando’s opposite we purchased two tickets and greatly enjoyed this rather exceptional movie.

Another very interesting trip, and one we were looking forward to, was the Titanic Quarter. I think most folk are familiar with the story behind the ship. Built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, registered in Liverpool and sailed from Southampton on the 10th April 1912 for New York via Cherbourg. Sinking in the early hours of 15th April 1912 after hitting an iceberg with a great lose of life. I pre booked a White Star Premium Pass although  thought to be  quite expensive it turned out to be value for money. Firstly we went on the Discovery Tour this was a guided outdoor walk. We were shown were the ship was built, designed and launched. Then we went inside the magnificent building to witness the The Titanic Experience where you learn about the history of this remarkable ship. As part of the deal your get a free hard cover guide book and a rather nice fridge magnet depicting a Titanic Boarding Pass.

Part of the Premium Pass is a visit to the Hamilton Dock and the  SS Nomadic, which was converted into a museum in 2018. A former tender of the White Star Line launched on the 25th April 1911. She was built to to transfer passengers and mail to and from the ocean liners Olympic and the Titanic. Its the last White Star Line vessel in existence today and has a very interesting history which you learn about on board. 

Also worth a visit is the Alexandra Dock to see the last remaining British First World War light cruiser HMS Caroline built in 1914. She is the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland still afloat. 

Completion of another enjoyable trip to this busy city. The ferry was delayed 80 minutes by the weather but fortunately got home in the light so it was not a problem.

Late Summer Tour 2025.

 Late Summer Tour 2025

This years late summer trip took in 4 camp sites, Edinburgh Mortonhall Caravan and Camping Park, Thirlestane Caravan Park Lauder, Tantallon Caravan and Camping site North Berwick and finally Warren Caravan and Camping Park Bamburgh.

Edinburgh.

The reason we wanted to stay at MortonHall was three fold. Firstly to take part in the All Under One Banner March, the second reason was to visit the newly refurbished Filmhouse and off course to see our family.

Saturdays All Under One Banner March was very well attended actually the turn out was better than i thought. It included the Bikers for Independence and was led by a Pipe Band. It finished outside Holyrood on the edge of the park. Stalls, live music and speeches were the oder of the day. 

Also on the same day there was the pro Palestine March and a peaceful protest against the UK Governments proscription against Palestine Action held outside the UK governments headquarters. Couldn’t  help but notice lots of police videoing this very peaceful event. I wonder why?

The following day we were picked up by our daughter and taken to Dalkeith for Lunch and a catch up with our three grandsons.

On our final day we took the number 11 bus back into town for a visit to the cinema. The Edinburgh Filmhouse was originally opened in 1979, but had to close in October 2022 when it went in to administration. In September 2023 a campaign organised by former staff to reopen got underway, finally it was re-opened in June 2025. 

We fancied the 2025 Irish movie Christy. Set in Knocknaheeny in Cork, the film centres on two estranged brothers who attempt to reconcile their differences. A cracking wee movie that one won the best Irish film at the Galway Film Fleadh in July 2025. To round off the day we retired to Nando’s for lunch. 

Lauder.

The camp site was set in the grounds of the Thirlestane Castle Estate at the southern end of Lauder, which is in the Scottish Borders only 22 miles from Edinburgh. It has a long history becoming a Royal Burgh in the 14th century.

You have to book a tour the visit the castle, something that’s well worth while., you can not just wonder around on your own. Our tour guide was a very knowledgable lady called Judith, what she did not know about the castles history was not worth knowing. You also get a cup coffee and a Tunnocks Tea Cake on completion of the tour - very nice.

The castle and its land has been in the ownership of the Maitland family since 1587and the castle was extended in the 1670’s to what we see now. Its cared for by a charitable trust but the family still live in part of the castle. In 1745 Charles Edward Stewart lodged at the castle on his way to invade England, getting as far as Derby before having to turn back. (Unfortunately)

Lauder Town Trail was our next adventure. You can pick up the trail guide from the campsite reception. We spent some time following the guide and i have included photo’s of some of the  points of interest  as follows:

Town Hall. The Town Hall was formally the town Tollbooth. This typically simple Scottish building dates from 1735.

Lauder Kirk. Designed by Sir William Bruce, master mason for Holyrood House in Edinburgh, the Duke of Lauderdale erected the present church in 1673. It underwent repairs in 1822 and again n 1864.

Lauder War Memorial. Erected in 1923.

Nr 4 The Row. This was built in 1795 as a meeting house and church. It has subsequently been used as a school, joiners shop and more recently as a house. 

The Avenue. This was originally he main entrance to Thirlestane Castle. There are plans afoot to reopen a tree lined path to the castle in the future.

Jonny Copes. This house is where John Cope is said to have made his first stop after the battle of Prestonpans in 1745 where the he was defeated at the hands of the Jacobites.

Enough culture for the present. The following day we did a 7.5 mile circular walk around the tranquil Borders countryside. Following the Southern Upland Way south to Fordswell. Turning right on to a narrow roadway via Upper Blainslie and joining the A68 at Stonyford Bridge and back to the campsite via B6321. A lovely walk, and it stayed mostly dry if not a little chilly. 

North Berwick.

A return visit the Tantallon Camp Site. Tantallon Caravan Park is situated over looking the Firth of Forth between Craigleith and the majestic Bass Rock and is one of the Meadowhead group of campsites. The facilities and cleanliness of the site is second to none with a great team of staff that are both helpful and friendly

Although we visited North Berwick earlier this year we felt it was certainly worth a another visit. The campsite situated to the south of the town is highly recommended for its organisation and its exceptional clean facilities. And anyway i wanted to take Barbara on a boat trip as she missed out last time 

As i remarked previously the town it self is a rather attractive Victorian seaside resort with long sandy beaches, three golf courses and a small harbour. and some nice shops and places to eat. An easy walk from the camp site across the golf course and along the shore.

Sula Boat Trip was our preferred sightseeing tour but due to the weather our trip was canceled, so we had to book up with the Seabird Centres Catamaran Tour around Craigleith and Bass Rock. Unlike Sula this trip was more nature orientated, it did not include the history Information that there rivals included. But a very enjoyable trip all the same. And it didn't rain!

We did a couple of walks, the first was into town and along the beach towards Yellow Craig but unfortunately this walk had to be called off early because of the very heavy rain. 

Our second walk the following day, after the rain finally stopped was part way along the coastal path towards Tantallon Castle. We got as far as the Leithies and down across the beach to the “island” Will finish this walk on a future visit to the area no doubt. 

Waren Mill nr Bamburgh.

The last port of call was across the English Border into Northumberland and to another of the Meadowhead Group of camp sites, the third on this trip indecently. 

Waren Caravan & Camping Park is situated in 100 acres surrounded by woodland. A nice quite site with mostly static vans as is normal with the company. The site is well kept with the normal facilities one expects. Its attraction is that its both walking distance from the shore line and the village of Bamburgh with its mighty castle.

Obviously our first visit was to the castle, a rather pleasant 3 mile walk, half of which was on a public footpath across some farmland. As it became quite wet on our arrival at the castle we decided to explore the 14 state rooms with their antique furniture, suits of armour, a great collection of priceless ceramics and of course artworks. 

Built around the 11th century it played a key role in the border wars of  the 13th and 14 century and was the first English castle to fall during the Wars of the Roses. Restored in the 19th century by the industrialist William George Armstrong, and is still the home of the Armstrong Family today. 

On the way back through this rather charming village its worth visiting St. Aidens Parish Church. There has been a place of worship on this site since the year 635.

Not far from the camp site is the English Coastal Path which we followed toward Bamburgh, we sat and had our piece

 watching the Para Surfing and decided to walk back along the beach as the tide was out. 

Budle Bay is part of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve which is home to to the largest over wintering population of ducks, geese, and waders in north east England with between 50,000 and 60,000 birds recorded annually.

The end of another successful motorhome trip. Other than North Berwick we did not come a crossed many freeloaders this time. Our average price per night was over £38.00 with only one site (Lauder) not having a fully serviced pitches.