November 2006
Auchinleck House, East Ayrshire, Scotland.

Auchinleck House was built between 1755 and 1760 by Alexander Boswell, 8th Laird of Auchinleck and the father of James Boswell, the celebrated diarist and biographer of Samuel Johnson. It is one of the finest examples of an eighteenth century country villa to survive in Scotland.

We arrived on the Friday and left on the Monday but it was our home and we loved it. Tesco got there before us so we arrived to about 55 carrier bags on our rather grand front doorstep. Sadly some people got a little lost on the way as this property was very remote, across fields and along tree lined avenues, but the adventurous trip was well worth it.

In true Landmark style we did very little really, a bit of walking, quite a bit of drinking and a lot of eating in the grandest dining room I have ever eaten in. No complaints and everybody got along swimmingly, shame it came to an end so suddenly.

If you fancy staying in this building or any of the others available, visit the website of The Landmark Trust



1. A house isn't a house unless it has its own giant erection on the doorstep.



2. Lady Jenkins and I looking wistful at the end of the main bedroom corridor.



3. Slumming it again. This was all ours, if only for a few days. Splendid.


4. Tartan Pair No. 1: Andrew and Jason
Bouncing and clashing checks!


5. Tartan Pair No. 2: Jo and Carolina
Keep warm and keep well.


6. Tartan Pair No. 3: Tony and Bern
Check Chic.


7. Tartan Pair No. 4: Rachel and Helen
Tartan Tarlets.


8. Tartan Pair No. 5: Brenda and Anthony
Dark and creamy.


9. Tartan Pair No. 6: Justine and Claire
The Highland throw.


10. I like your tie. Thanks, I like your scarf.


11. Jan modelling a lovely illuminated headpiece.


12. Toasting Tony and co.


13. Dressed for a stroll in the countryside.




14. Wallace's Cave - a spooky, tucked away hole in a cliffside.


15. A spooky hand waving from Wallace's Cave.


16. Caroline and Jan in the early stages of the obligatory Landmark jigsaw.


17. Jo and I descending the grand staircase.


18. Lots of ancient art at this property, this one was of a lady loving her lamb.


19. Pop Quiz. Looks of concentration as Tony delivers the questions.


20. Speak no evil, smell no evil...


21. The Buchanan and Culloden tartans in evidence around our necks.

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