Lochwinnoch

Scotland
Lochwinnoch

July, 2001 & July 2002

Belltrees Beild, Lochwinnoch, Scotland

It was about 8:30 PM when I arrived in Lochwinnoch. It's a small village; there are no hotels. Some of the locals were out walking and I asked for a Bed and Breakfast recommendation, local if possible. Belltrees Beild , located on the top of a hill, overlooking the village, was recommended.

    Alex Haley, in his Roots television drama, concluded his story when he was in a small African village, listening to the village storyteller / historian, telling stories of ancient relatives, when he relates the story of Kunta Kinteae, who is captured by slave traders - a story that had been passed down from generation to generation in Haley's family. Haley asks the story teller to repeat the line and hears it again, and joyfully proclaims, "Kunta Kinteae, I have found you."
    Back in 1980, I had the opportunity to visit Lochwinnoch, if only for a day. It was a dark, December evening. Watching the map, I knew we were approaching Lochwinnoch, the place I had heard of so many times in my childhood. As we rounded a curve in the road, I looked down to my right, and there was a village, aglow in evening lights. While nowhere near as dramatic as Haley's story, the overwhelming feeling was, "Lochwinnoch, I have found you."
    Returning 21 years later held the same joy, a certain sense of place that I cannot adequately describe. I was particularly pleased to be staying at Belltrees Beild, for I could just take it all in, looking down the hill, across the valley to Lochwinnoch, for 400 years, the home of my ancestors.

From Belltrees Beild -

Lochwinnoch by night and
Lochwinnoch by day.

    After a pleasant night’s sleep, I had a full Scottish breakfast – translation: if you walk away hungry, it’s your own fault! Eggs, bacon, toast, scones, jam, cereal, coffee, tea, or milk – you’ve got the idea. By the way, the price for Belltrees Bed and Breakfast was 20 pounds, or about $30 US, a bargain compared to US B&Bs or to commercial hotels. “En suite” B&Bs offer bathroom facilities directly (privately) attached to the bedroom. Others offer shared bathroom facilities, including tub & shower, a few steps down a hall.
    My Lochwinnoch B&B experience was wonderful, chatting with Andy and Mary Mackie. Andy had some local historical knowledge, and shared with me, some of the research he had done. The B&B experience is so much more personal, especially if you enjoy getting the local flavor and history.
    On my return visit in 2002, I hoped to again stay at Belltrees Beild, but Mary Mackie was fully booked for the evening. She did however, arrange for accommodations at "Struparsaig Bed and Breakfast" in nearby Johnstone, operated by Marie Mitchell. Before leaving, Mary and I had tea and a delightful conversation. It seems the B&B's of Scotland have a way of creating friendships.
    I had a pleasant stay at Struparsaig* and a marvelous Scottish breakfast the next morning along with a pleasant conversation with Marie.

The backyard garden at Struparsaig

Marie apologized for not having her garden looking as well as it should. (I wish mine looked this bad.) The view from Struparsaig in Johnstone, looks across the valley - Lochwinnoch is about 4 miles away on the left side of the photograph.

Looking north across the valley from Struparsaig B&B

England

Scotland

* Struparsaig - songs associates with the Isle of Harris of the Scottish Outer Hebrides