Largs is a seaside town on the Clyde coast, about 40 minutes from Glasgow. Its old Gaelic name means "the slopes." It’s a popular spot with a pier and takes pride in its Viking history, celebrated with a festival every September. The town is also historically significant as the site of the Battle of Largs in 1263, where the Scots faced the Norwegians.
1. Kelburn Castle and Estate
A popular attraction for children is the Secret Forest—a fairy tale-themed maze featuring a witch’s cottage and a giant’s castle. There are also the Adventure Course and Saloon play areas, equipped with wooden walkways, stepping stones, tunnels, swings, and a scramble net.
Kelburn’s stunning woodland glen has a network of winding trails to explore, with various creative surprises along the way. Reaching the top of the glen rewards visitors with impressive views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran.
In 2007, Kelburn’s castle was painted in a unique style and is now recognized by author and designer Tristan Manco as one of the world’s top 10 examples of street art—comparable to the work of Banksy in Los Angeles and the Favela Morro da Providência in Rio de Janeiro.
The estate hosts events throughout the year, so it’s worth checking their website or social media for updates. Accommodation is available in the form of hillside yurts for glamping, and there are also areas for pitching tents if you prefer to bring your own.
Entry to the grounds, glen, and the Saloon and Adventure Course play areas is free, with a £5 parking charge per car. There is a separate £3 per person entry fee for the Secret Forest. Kelburn Estate and Country Centre is located off the A78, about two miles from Largs, between Largs and Fairlie, and there's a bus stop right outside the entrance. A general entrance fee applies to the estate, with reduced rates in the off-season. The estate also features several walking trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Ranger Services, including guided walks, are available. More details can be found on their website at www.kelburnestate.com. West Kilbride Golf Links borders the northern end of the beach in the vicinity.
The castle wasn’t open when we visited, but we were told that it would be open in June and July. We still enjoyed taking photos around the outside, even though we couldn’t go in.
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2. Waterfall and rock pool at Kelburn Castle and Estate
The Waterfall Pool, set within a striking sandstone grotto, is just 250 yards from the brightly painted castle. The waterfall felt almost unreal—I actually let out a lovely scream near it because I was so excited. It was such a beautiful sight to see in person. Thereafter, we wandered around the estate toward the castle area, strolled through the flower section, and then had some Easter bread before heading to Largs Yacht Haven.
Psalm 16:8: I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalm 100:5 says, For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Body image is such a big deal these days. Yesterday, while having a destress day with my partner at Loch Lomond, I carried the book "Body Confident You, Body Confident Kid" by Dr. Charlotte Ord.
Before I even started reading, I browsed through the entire book. I wanted to understand how it was structured. This also helped me get to know more about Dr. Ord. As I read, her intentions became clear. Books like this are essential for parents, especially those who are struggling with their own body image. This can happen at any point in life. Although I haven't finished it yet, some chapters really grabbed my attention.
One thing I've always known is that a parent's struggle with body image can be passed on to their child. On the other hand, confident and positive parents tend to raise confident kids. In a society where everyone compares themselves and strives for an outward appearance of perfection, being a confident parent can make a huge difference for your children. Never underestimate the knowledge your kids gain from you. They learn primarily by observing how you carry yourself.
For me, my parents always told us we were beautiful. My mom consistently praised herself and talked about how lovely she looked. This really built my confidence. Because of this foundation, you can't tell me anything negative about myself. I know I am beautiful. This feeling held true even when I had a girl around me during medical school. She constantly tried to undermine my confidence. She would say things like, "Oh, you're so slim and have no flesh. Your breasts are small; what will a man touch? You don't have big bums, what will a man grab?" She was constantly trying to destroy my confidence because she saw how confident I was. I always wondered why.
Mind you, I have never had any issue with this girl, not for one day.
However, knowing what I know now, she was projecting her own insecurities onto me. Facially, she wasn't ugly. In fact, she was also beautiful, though not as beautiful as me – and I say that as a matter of fact. She was a larger woman, with good height and nice skin, but she had very low self-esteem. This led her to try and belittle me with her words. One of her friends even laughed and said she was jealous of me and wanted to look like me, which is why she always had something negative to say.
I knew that. However, there's more to the situation. She constantly talked about her boyfriend at the time, saying he liked thick women and could never be attracted to someone like me. I honestly didn't care about his preferences. Yet, somehow, I was always the topic of her conversations— always on her lips. Eventually, he ended up asking me out, and I definitely wasn't going to let that slide. Here's how it unfolded:
We all lived in the same house. I was in the kitchen one day when he came up to me and said I looked sad. I was sad because I had just received bad news that made it feel like my world was falling apart. I had failed my first trial after a lot of studying. One day, I'll share that experience and how it shaped me for life. To make the story short, he offered me a hug. While I initially thought it was a harmless gesture, his grip was uncomfortably tight. I thought, "Maybe this is just how he hugs," but he wasn't letting go. I had to physically pull away. Before this incident, he would frequently comment on my hair in the kitchen, saying things like, "Oh, your hair is beautiful, can I touch it?" in a way that was more personal than just a compliment. I would always respond with a simple "thank you." He commented on my style sense a lot—not in the right manner but in more of an I like you way, but I never took it to heart.
After the hug incident, I packed my things and moved out of the house I shared with his girlfriend the next day. She was angry about the way I left, even though our other friend, who also lived there, told her I left because of her actions. She never understood what our friend meant.
That girl tried to bring me down and criticize my features, which were the same features her boyfriend was attracted to. He ended up dating a woman who had my body type. "He left her in a disrespectful way." She found out from her friends that he was dating another woman.
There are many people who struggle internally. Instead of seeking help, they create fake accounts on social media and insult others. Some have friends they admire, but instead of complimenting them, they constantly bring them down and give bad advice. Sadly, those friends might not realize it until it's too late. People who never let you make your own choices, always deeming yours as bad and only theirs as good, often suffer from low self-esteem. I've experienced this firsthand. I can confidently say that my parents did an excellent job of complimenting every aspect of me. Today, no one can tell me anything negative about myself. I know I am beautiful, and that's the end of the story. If you don't like my size, take it up with God.
"Body Confident You, Body Confident Kid" is such an inspiring read. It doesn't just focus on body-confident parents but also on how to raise body-confident kids. One thing I particularly appreciate about the book is the exercises you can do with your child.
On page 216, she discusses how exercise is often viewed as purely a physical process by many. Exercise can be tough for some kids, and not just physically. If you don't feel like you have the "ideal" body, have sensory sensitivities, or aren't naturally athletic, gym class and sports can make you feel more self-conscious and ashamed. It's like you're already worried about how you look or what you can do, and then exercise just shines a spotlight on all of that.
Plus, let's be real, working out can suck. It can hurt, you get all sweaty and out of breath, and it's just plain uncomfortable sometimes. So, it makes total sense that as kids get older and start thinking more about themselves, they're like, "Nah, I'm good on that."
It's like we're wired to avoid pain, right? Whether it's your muscles burning or feeling embarrassed. And for a lot of kids, exercise is both of those things rolled into one. It's even worse when some adult is telling you exactly what to do and how hard to push yourself, like in PE. You can't even listen to your own body and what feels okay.
The writer also added that she even remembers this time in school when everyone had to run this super- long race. She was into sports and loved the challenge, but she saw other kids just chilling and chatting their way through it. At the time, she didn't get it. But now she realizes that those kids just didn't care about winning or pushing themselves like she did. They valued hanging out with their friends more than some dumb race, and they were smart enough to not do something that felt bad.
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| Photo by Pixabay from Pexels |
But here is the thing: the man who spoke to us at the door saw that I kept looking at the dog, so he asked if I was afraid of dogs, and I said yes. My partner also said she doesn't like dogs in her space. He then replied, saying they have a girl who comes to the gym who also doesn't like dogs, so they take the dog inside when she trains.
I felt exhausted from hearing that because one thing I have noticed with some people who keep pets, especially dogs, is that they always expect everyone to like their pet just the way they love their pet. But you know what? That perspective is wrong, self-centered, and even a bit out of touch. What makes you happy won't necessarily make me happy. It is common sense.
How can I comfortably rest my back on a mat that a dog has just sat on at a gym frequented by numerous individuals from diverse backgrounds, which is already a risky environment? We all know that gyms are one of the easiest places to get skin diseases. Generally, I recommend bringing your mat. He did not consider how to accommodate people with allergies to fur; instead, it was all about him and his dog disregarding others' health (me, me, my dog, my dog, other people can go to hell!). For God's sake, it's a gym.
I don't think I should live with animals in the house. In my opinion, they should have their space outside the main house. In my cultural background, it is customary to refrain from sharing utensils with animals, but even without any cultural beliefs, I would never eat from the same plate as an animal, nor kiss, lick, or feed an animal with the same spoon. I feel very uncomfortable when I see others engaging in such behavior ; at the same time, we need to respect their way of life.
Dog owners need to understand that just because they have a mindset about their dog doesn't mean I should feel safe around it. It's not my dog; it is your dog. Oh, come close; he is not going to hurt you. I don't care! respectfully.
I don't think dogs are friendly; they're wild, and even though it takes a certain environment for that wildness to come out, they also act out because it is their nature to do so. They are not supposed to be around children unsupervised. This is my opinion; yours can be different.
Exploring the Historic Dean Castle: A Step Back in Time
The absolute highlight for me? Stepping back in time at the recently done-up 14th-century Dean Castle. You can just feel the history oozing from the stones. It was the ancestral pad of the Boyd Family for over 400 years (yep, it was originally called Kilmarnock Castle). Inside, they've got these incredible collections—think proper old-school European arms and armour, plus a fascinating stash of early musical instruments. Total history geek-out moment. (The Boyd Family, who were Lords of Kilmarnock, played a significant role in Scottish history after being granted these lands by Robert the Bruce in 1316. Their influence spanned centuries, connecting them to events involving James III, the Covenanters, and even Bonnie Prince Charlie.)
Relaxing at the Treehouse Café in the Visitor Centre
We took a breather at the Treehouse Café in the Visitor Centre – lovely spot with cracking views over the park. The child had strawberry ice cream, which she quickly got tired of eating real quick. I guess she wasn't really hungry for ice cream, just the idea of always getting a treat when visiting a place.
It's an ideal location for satisfying your caffeine craving and engaging in conversation. Plus, it's open daily, so you can always walk in.
Discovering Nature and More at the Rural Life Centre & Woodland Walks
We also had a wander around the Rural Life Centre, which was surprisingly interesting, all about sustainable living and that. Then we hit the woodland walks – so peaceful and a great chance to stretch the legs. And of course, the little one was in her element at the Adventure Playground, burning off all that kid energy. (Things to do with kids Kilmarnock definitely includes this playground!)
Dean Castle: Free Entry and Daily Tours
Dean Castle itself, right in the heart of the park, is free to get in. It's open every day (we were there on a Sunday; times are 10 am-4 pm, last entry 3:30 pm), and you can even join a free tour of the castle. (The castle's collections include a wide array of European arms and armour, offering a fascinating look at historical weaponry. The early musical instruments collection is also extensive and quite unique for a castle of this size.)
A Castle with a Story: The Boyd Family and Scottish History
This place has some serious stories to tell. The Boyd Family got the land way back in 1316. It's linked to some big names in Scottish history – Robert the Bruce, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and even Robert Burns. It's now looked after by East Ayrshire Leisure, and they've done a cracking job with the recent renovations. Oh, and get this – there's a local legend about the head of the 4th Earl of Kilmarnock being kept in one of the towers. Spooky. (History of the Boyd Family is deeply intertwined with Kilmarnock and Ayrshire.)
Accessibility and Facilities at Dean Castle Country Park
It's also important to note that the park offers wheelchair accessibility, despite some limitations in the castle itself. There are lots of parking spaces and a wee gift shop. Honestly, Dean Castle Country Park is an excellent choice for a day out in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. I enjoy visiting castles. This is not one of my favorites, nor is it among my top three; at the moment, Dumbarton Castle remains at the top of my list.
Plan your visit to Dean Castle Country Park today! This free attraction in Ayrshire offers a fantastic blend of history, nature, and family fun.
I just watched Jewel Thief on Netflix. It's a 2025 adventure/action thriller all about guys who steal jewelry and costly items. An African prince owns a rare, valuable jewel. This jewel was being displayed at an art museum in Mumbai. The main character is a guy who's had a falling out with his family because he's a thief. He gets roped into this whole situation because these bad guys threaten his dad, who's a doctor.
Here's how it starts: these villains come to his dad and say they want to donate to his clinic. See, his dad runs a charity and only charges like 10 rupees to treat everyone, so they donate a huge amount of money. The dad's grateful, of course. But while the main bad guy is still talking to the dad, the other guy who hangs around with him takes the brother of the thief outside. He tells him that the money they just gave his dad is dirty and that they'll report the dad to the police if they don't find his brother, the thief.
So, he had to go find his brother to stop his dad from getting into trouble. Now, this part of the movie just didn't sit right with me. If you're running a charity, you're going to receive donations from a variety of sources, so the idea of someone reporting you to the police over a single transaction seems quite absurd. Furthermore, it seems ludicrous to threaten to report someone after you've just given them the money. They could have just as easily reported to the police that someone had sent their charity a substantial amount of money from a suspicious account. It felt really weak and they should've come up with a much better reason for him to get involved. I mean, the dad could just report the transaction himself and say he has no idea where it came from, which he doesn't.