Les avis de Jane_Elizabeth sur Qype
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Eglinton Country Park, Irvine, Scotland KA11 1
It's very sad to see this ruin when you've looked at the old photos and paintings from its days of grandeur. It was originally a fabulous and immense castellated Gothic mansion, built in sandstone for the Earl of Eglinton and his family between 1797 and 1802.
Jane_Elizabeth
le 30 octobre 2012
It included a central 100 ft high round keep and four 70 ft towers; it really was very grand and was surrounded by a moat. However, the castle gradually fell into disrepair and the family was unable to finance any renovations. They deserted their home in 1925 and all the contents were sadly all auctioned, including many (priceless and irreplaceable) historical artifacts, and then the roof was removed a year later and even the lead sold. During World War II the castle was greatly damaged during army training there - another appalling sacrilege.
When it was decided to open the country park to the public in the 1970s, even more of the castle was demolished as it was considered unsafe. Only a small part of the walls and one tower has survived to this day.I give only four stars, not because so little of the castle remains, but because there is no information about it at the site. When you visit the castle there isn't even one sign giving the history (unless, somehow, I missed it!), only a general overview at the Visitor Centre itself, and I really think much more could be made of this fascinating old ruin that was once the very impressive seat of the Eglinton family.
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Eglinton Country Park, Irvine, Scotland KA12 8TA
This attractive bridge is found within Eglinton Country Park and crosses the river, Lugton Water, just north of Eglinton Castle. It is 'B Listed' by Historic Scotland and named after the big medieval-style Eglinton Tournament of 1839.
Jane_Elizabeth
le 30 octobre 2012
There were many competing knights on horseback taking part in jousting and other events at the grand tournament and one of the participants was actually the future Napoleon III of France. Unfortunately the appalling weather and heavy rain completely ruined the proceedings - things never change!!
The 13th Earl of Eglinton, Archibald Montgomerie, had the cast iron and stone bridge built in a Gothic style and it was designed by the architect, David Hamilton.
The bridge has been repaired and strengthened a few times over the years, especially after its partial collapse in 1936. The most recent renovation took place in 2008.
I enjoyed walking over the bridge, and taking photos, recently on a visit to the park; it's a lovely place to walk and very rural.
Jane_Elizabeth I love them too Roger and I’m very fond of much of the old Scottish architecture !
31 octobre 2012
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31b Rivergate, Irvine, Scotland KA12 8EH
I agree with the previous reviewer that the staff here are pleasant and serve you with a smile. I didn't find it very busy in there today - perhaps because it's a Sunday. There are plenty of catalogues on counters to browse and make your choices and a few seats where you can sit and wait.
Jane_Elizabeth
le 16 septembre 2012
My only complaint is that, if you are buying anything heavy including, say, flat pack furniture, you need to carry it quite a distance through the mall before you reach the escalator to go down to the outdoor car park. I did ask today whether any member of staff could carry it for me but they politely refused. Fair enough - I suppose they aren't allowed to do this, nor would they be insured should anything be damaged. I realise that some items can be delivered but obviously there's a charge for that.
Jane_Elizabeth Thank you all. Yes, some Argos stores have a much better position. This is just a small outlet at the top of a shopping mall so they don’t have access to the back…
20 septembre 2012
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51C Rivergate Centre, Irvine, Scotland KA11 1
Can't fault this store - it's large and well laid out with so many things for the home, from DIY tools and kitchenware, to gardening supplies and soft furnishings. There's a good gardening section too, and stationery, toys and confectionery. Prices are much lower than most other stores yet the quality remains high. This is a friendly store and a pleasure to shop in. The staff are usually cheerful and this morning they were particularly jolly! You certainly get service with a smile and leave feeling better than when you went in.
Jane_Elizabeth
le 16 septembre 2012
Found in the undercover shopping centre; there's a free car park downstairs outside the main doors to the mall. -
Lamont Drive, Springbank Industrial Estate, Irvine, Scotland KA12 8HD
Reid Furniture Clearance Centre
Having drawn a blank in several stores on my hunt-for-the-perfect-pair-of-sofas I finally wound up here yesterday, thinking it would be another fool's errand. Not so!! What a huge store with an enormous range of furniture! I was delighted to see the best range of lounge seating that I've come across anywhere - all fabrics and materials - and a good choice of colour too. The man who was working there yesterday was really nice and helpful.
Jane_Elizabeth
le 6 septembre 2012
The upshot is that I bought two sofas at an amazing discount. Seems incredible but I paid just £617 for TWO brand new matching sofas (including delivery) which are just what I was looking for!! I couldn't be more pleased and I heartily recommend this out-of-town clearance store.
You'll find it opposite Sainsbury's; there's a free car park in front or you can park in Lamont Drive itself.
The opening times are:
Mon-Sat 9.00am-5.30pm
Sun 11.00-5.00pm
Jane_Elizabeth I’d be tempted to keep anything so long as it was still comfortable – so often new things look better but that’s all you can say about them !!
14 septembre 2012
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Eglinton Country Park, Irvine, Scotland KA12 8TA
We didn't actually stay here ourselves last week but our friends did! We did, however, go over to visit them and look around the park and campsite. It's very well looked after and set in the beautiful surroundings of Eglinton Country Park (a lovely place to walk and explore) and has 50 pitches which include 30 hard standing areas.
Jane_Elizabeth
le 17 août 2012
The Visitor centre and cafe are nearby - I think I reviewed those some time ago!
Our friends said that the washing facilities were exceptionally good, far better than they'd expected for a fairly small camp site. You can book for a couple of nights or longer and prices vary depending on the time of year and how many people will be staying.
Jane_Elizabeth Too fond of my home comforts I’m afraid Roger, I’m not the hardiest type of person !!!
17 août 2012
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Riverway, 7 Riverway Retail Park, Irvine, Scotland KA12 8AG
Spent some time here a couple of times recently looking round for some appliances for our new home - there's a great range of everything for the kitchen and home office, plus the latest in TVs and computers. There are sometimes discounted items as well; in actual fact I bought a cut-price tripod for my camera on one of my visits. The assistant who served me (Zung) was really lovely and so helpful - he took a few tripods out of their boxes for me and set them up on the carpet so that I could see them properly. I'll definitely go back there for some more things before long!
Jane_Elizabeth
le 3 juillet 2012
There's a large free car park right outside.
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 9.00am-8.00pm
Sat 9.00am-6.00pm
Sun 10.00am-5.00pm
John Green Yes, Thanks Jane.
I would like to congratulate on your photography, designs and skills. Truly amazing and beautiful……I am nowhere near it!!7 juillet 2012
Jane_Elizabeth Thank you so much John, you’re too kind but I really appreciate your nice comments! Hope your weekend is going well.
7 juillet 2012
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Rivergate Shopping Centre, Irvine, Scotland KA12 8EH
Jane_Elizabeth
le 22 décembre 2011
A small store in the shopping mall absolutely stuffed full of fascinating ‘alternative’ gifts. At first I thought it would just be children’s toys because there were some battery-operated fluffy dogs ‘wandering’ about the floor near to the entrance. However, I was glad I went in to explore because there are unusual gifts for all the family, and to suit all pockets too. There are puzzles of many kinds, both simple and fiendishly difficult; plasma lamps, and lots of other novelties. The young man (John R) who served me was extremely nice and very helpful. I bought several things and will definitely go back there again.
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Rivergate Shopping Centre, Irvine, Scotland KA12 8EH
Jane_Elizabeth
le 1 décembre 2011
Always worth a browse, this is a great shop stuffed full of lots of bargain books (both hardback and paperback) for all the family. There is also a good range of stationery, art supplies, craft items, stickers, pens, toys, CDs, DVD sets and much more besides. You can often buy good value calendars (some lovely ones on sale there yesterday) and there are many lovely gifts to put underneath your Christmas tree!
Jane_Elizabeth Oh I do agree, I always like to see what bargains I can find (especially amongst the books)!
4 décembre 2011
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14 Rivergate, Irvine, Scotland KA12 8EH
Jane_Elizabeth
le 1 décembre 2011
I’ve seen this cafe many times and it always looked rather inviting from the outside, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to go there for lunch yesterday.
My husband asked for an egg roll with a side order of chips but the waitress came back to say there were no rolls left. He asked if the egg could be put inside something else instead, perhaps bread or a baguette, but was told that couldn’t be done (no idea why not). In the end he decided to just have the egg on the same plate with the chips, which is what happened – but he was still charged the full amount; in other words, paid for a non-existent roll! I fared better with a nice potato filled with cheese and coleslaw and our two coffees were lovely. The desserts and cakes looked delicious but we didn’t have any ourselves.
The cafe was clean with pleasant decor but the small tables too close together. Sitting at a table next to the wall would have been better but we didn’t like the miniscule tables in the middle as they were cramped and it was irritating with people, including the waitresses, brushing past up and down the aisles.
As vegetarians we found the menu very boring and lacking in imagination as there were very few options – just the inevitable jacket potato, the egg, chips, or cheese sandwich. The menu was otherwise just meat or tuna, both on the printed card on the tables and the blackboard ‘Specials’. There’s a ‘Kids’ Menu’ for the under 12s.
For what we had, it was very expensive (coming to over £14!) – not a place for us and we won’t be returning!
Jane_Elizabeth No, there were no helpful suggestions, it was difficult making a decision!!
2 décembre 2011
Jane_Elizabeth Very true Roger !
31 octobre 2012