Melody Jacob

Our little big adventure really did not want to end at Tannoch Loch. After leaving Tannoch Loch, we got back in the car and started heading home, but then we saw Drumclog Moor Car Park and something in me said, wait, why are people parking here? What is actually around here? So we drove past, then reversed and decided to have a look. I am glad we did because this little decision took us somewhere we had completely missed earlier in the day. There was a map, so this time we actually stood there and looked at it properly, and that was when I realised there was something else around Mugdock Country Park that we had not seen: Mugdock Reservoir. Remember how I told you we had gone looking for Mugdock Castle earlier and somehow ended up at Craigend Castle instead? Well, apparently we had been walking around Mugdock without fully understanding just how much was around us. This time, with the map in front of us, we could see the reservoir and decided to walk towards it.  When we...

After leaving Mugdock Country Park and Craigend Castle , we drove over to Easterton Farm Park because of a little boy we had met earlier. He was riding a horse when he noticed how excited I was to see it and kindly asked if I wanted to pet it. Of course I said yes. While I was petting the horse, he told us about a nearby stable where people can learn how to ride, although the horse he was riding actually belonged to his friend. He was such a lovely little guy. We decided to drive over to Easterton Farm Park to have a look, but we didn't get out of the car because horse riding wasn't part of our plan that day. Easterton Stables is actually a proper riding school and livery yard, offering lessons, pony rides and hacks through Mugdock Country Park, so I have already put that somewhere in the back of my mind for another day. The farm park is in the Mugdock countryside overlooking the Campsie Fells and is less than half an hour from Glasgow city centre, so it is one of those plac...

Photo of  Craigend Castle So, remember when I told you in my Mugdock Country Park post that we accidentally ended up at Craigend Castle? Well, this is the story of that little discovery. When we were walking around Mugdock, we spoke to an older couple who told us it would take about 20 minutes to get to the castle. Because we were in Mugdock Country Park, we naturally assumed they meant Mugdock Castle . We followed the route, kept walking and eventually arrived at what looked like the remains of a castle, except it didn't look quite like the castle I had seen in pictures of Mugdock Castle. That was when we realised we had actually found Craigend Castle .  At first I was a little confused because I thought we had somehow taken a completely wrong route, but then I realised this was one of the interesting things about Mugdock: there are two very different historic castle sites within the wider country park area. Mugdock Castle is the much older one, a medieval stronghold associa...

Yesterday we visited Mugdock Country Park , and before we did, we had to check whether we had actually been there before. We searched on our phones and searched my blog, and as I always say, if I don't remember visiting a place, then for now, my conclusion is that I haven't visited it. Well, I was wrong. We had actually been to Mugdock before, but we had never really explored the country park itself. We had gone on a date to one of the restaurants within the park, and I remember enjoying the meal and wandering around the lovely garden centre beside it, but that was about it. So this time we decided to visit Mugdock properly. Like always, I woke up feeling that I couldn't let this holiday pass without getting outside and enjoying God's creation. I got ready and spent some time reading blogs, we ate and eventually headed out. The funny thing is that we have driven along the road leading to Mugdock several times. It is one of those places that is close to the city but some...

I am glad you all are enjoying these day-trip posts, but did you know that on the day we visited Bishop Loch , we also stopped by Lochend Burn ? The entrance was just in the opposite direction. To be honest, we originally headed over because I was hungry and looking for something to eat, but since we were already nearby, we thought, why not? It was the perfect opportunity to see what was there and enjoy somewhere new. It is not a massive location, so it took far less time to explore, making it a fantastic, breezy addition to our day. Once we had sorted out something to eat, we decided to have a wander around Lochend Burn and see what it had to offer. We started from the Bishop Loch gateway area, crossed towards the distinctive red steel footbridge over the M73, and followed the paths along Lochend Burn before looping back the same way. The full walk took just under an hour at an easy pace, with plenty of stops along the way to take in the surroundings. Tucked away on the boundary betwe...

Lambhill Stables: Glasgow’s Hidden Canalside Escape Beside Possil Marsh That Feels Like Another World There are places you visit because they are famous. Then there are places you stumble upon that stay with you long after you leave. Places that do not shout for attention. Places that quietly wait. Tucked away in the north of Glasgow, beside the peaceful waters of the Forth and Clyde Canal and sharing a boundary with the beautiful Possil Marsh Nature Reserve , Lambhill Stables is one of those rare places. The day I visited Possil Marsh was the very same day I visited Lambhill Stables. In truth, it would have felt impossible to separate the two. They sit side by side, connected not only by geography but by atmosphere. The transition from the wild wetlands of Possil Marsh to the historic stone buildings and community gardens of Lambhill Stables feels completely natural, as though one experience gently flows into the other. If you are searching for a peaceful Glasgow day trip, a hidden na...

Yesterday, being Sunday, the Glasgow sun did something truly miraculous. It didn't just shine; it wrapped the entire city in a warm, golden embrace that had everyone flocking outdoors. Walking through the city, my inner child was absolutely screaming with joy. I seriously wish this weather could stay like this forever! I had such an incredible time that I couldn’t wait to get back, open my laptop, and share it all with you. If you are looking for a perfect walking trip in Glasgow where you can get a massive dose of nature without actually leaving the inner city, you need to lace up your trainers and head exactly where I went today. I walked for hours, easily clocking over 11,000 steps. Because I spent my entire afternoon trekking through beautiful trails, I officially decided: no gym for me yesterday! Nature provided all the cardio I needed. Here is everything you need to know about Glasgow’s ultimate hidden haven called Hamiltonhill Claypits LNR. The Essentials at a Glance A...

Possil Loch (more commonly known today as Possil Marsh) is a historic, shallow freshwater loch and nature reserve located in the north of Glasgow, Scotland, right next to Lambhill and the Forth and Clyde Canal . Despite being just a few miles from Glasgow’s bustling city center, it is a remarkably wild place and serves as a vital sanctuary for local biodiversity. Well, let me start by telling you how I got here. I really wanted to enjoy the sun yesterday, which was Sunday. I knew the week was already packed with work, and I did not want to lose my little fun time for the week. If you noticed, I have not been as active as I used to be with posting and sharing more personal travel trips, events and life stories like I love to do. Did anybody ask for me? Hahahahaha no. But I am here now. Yesterday, even though it was raining, I still decided to enjoy my day. I woke up to sunshine, but typical Scottish weather quickly changed and it started raining. Unlike my usual habit of staying tucked ...