After our previous post from Coffista in Leven we’ve gone west to Strathblane in the foothills of the Campsie Fells. However, if we had wanted to be here when the Kirkhouse Inn first opened its doors to guests we’d have been over four hundred years too late. Yes, this place opened in 1601 as a “tavern with stables” and has been welcoming people like us ever since. Back then, Elizabeth I was on the English throne and James VI was King of Scotland. As far as we know neither ever stayed here, however, this Inn was the scene of secret correspondence between the two monarchs which eventually led to the Union of the Crowns in 1603. So it’s all their fault.
Just north of Glasgow, as a “tavern with stables” the Kirkhouse Inn was presumably a place for travellers to stop overnight and rest their horses. We were doing the same though for us it would be more of a “tavern with car park”. Nowadays it’s a hub for walkers doing the West Highland Way and the John Muir Way. They both pass nearby. The Campsie Fells form an impressive background to the hotel and on a gorgeous day, we had a beautiful drive through them to get here. An overnight stay and an afternoon tea was what we were looking for!
It was good to see that the service seemed to be provided by mostly young local lads. 
In our experience, usually due to poor training, this can sometimes be problematic. But not here, it was excellent. First they brought a plate of delicious savoury sandwiches. When they were finished three tiers of sweet things appeared and everything explained in detail. Lemon possets and macaroons on top. Meringues and chocolate dipped strawberries in the middle with scones and French fancies on the bottom. Unusually there was only one scone each. A good thing in our opinion. Normally you get two but inevitably, because you’ve just had a feast of sandwiches, you end up leaving one of them. The scones came with perfect little dishes of jam and cream and were just the way we like them. The right size, crunchy exterior with a soft fluffy centre … topscone.
In 1601 the British East India Company was just starting its plunder of India leading to almost a century of disastrous British rule. Regrettable perhaps but where would we be without curry? It doesn’t bear thinking about! Ironically perhaps, the young Sagar Massey, raised in Delhi, has launched his fine dining restaurant “Sanja” at the Kirkhouse Inn.
It would be nice to think that we have progressed a wee bit since 1601, however, we have our doubts. As usual, land seems be the problem. Ukraine’s incursion into Russia is welcome but guaranteed to get right up mad Vlad’s nose. Israel’s murder of 40,000 people because a couple of thousand years ago some guy in the sky said the land belonged to them is beyond reason. In 1601 the area around the Kirkhouse Inn had to deal with MacGregor bandits running off with their cattle under cover of darkness, In comparison with today’s problems it sounds positively romantic!
G63 9AA tel: 01360 771711 Kirkhouse Inn
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Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resulted in significant loss of life. As of August 26, 2024, the death toll stands at 41,047 Palestinians killed in Gaza and 1,139 people killed in Israel.
This retaliation is not proportional and it is not just murder, it is genocide!
Archie, for me the numbers don’t matter that much. I feel sorry for the Israelis because there’s no way for them to win what is a moral problem.
We always enjoy reading of your travels, experiences, and political opinions. Re the last, though, you never seem to put any meat on the bones of those opinions. I often wonder why. Is it because you wish to avoid offering one, or is it because you lack facts to justify your opinions?
For example, neither the Jews nor the Palestinians had their own country, not until 1948 (as well you know). And, you also understand that war causes fatalities. So when one side attacks another, literally murdering, beheading, raping, and kidnapping well over 1,000 Israelis and internationals, to respond with overwhelming force is murder, especially when the enemy combatants hide in hospitals and schools is murder?
It’s easy to make an observation, but it’s difficult to believe your bias is so strong, Bill. I’ve always felt you were better than that.
I don’t put meat on the bones of these opinions Milan because it’s a scone blog which by definition needs to be relatively short. As far as Israel is concerned you are obviously entitled to your own opinion. I don’t state my opinions hoping that everyone will agree with them … quite the reverse in fact. I do think that the Palestinians have had a very valid gripe for the past seventy or so years and the way they are treated by Israeli settlers is unforgivable. No state should be created on the basis of religion … any religion! Just my opinion
Absolutely my opinion too Bill!
Thanks Ursina. I don’t expect people to agree with me all the time but it’s nice when they do. Hope you and David are well … happy memories of Coll.
Scones were good and the service at Kirkhouse Inn was also good. I was meeting some friends in Glasgow the next day so I got a bus into town and thoroughly enjoyed the bus trip, going back to various bits of my childhood.