Cyfaredd 22: Arrival in Moffat

Haia Pawb

The drive from Ynys Môn to Moffat, Scotland, my next research venue, took over five hours, with a couple of rest stops along the way. When I left Ynys Mon and travelled towards Scotland, North Wales was in bright sunshine, but the weather became colder and greyer the farther north I went.

The Menai Suspension Bridge (opened 1826) over the Menai Strait, which is at low tide

The Britannia Bridge (opened 1850) and some Welsh sheep

Clouds, mist and landscape, Moffat

During my last trip to Moffat, I stayed at The Bonnington Hotel, which is on the main street of the town. I enjoyed the hospitality and convenience of the place so much I decided to book there again. Paul and Lesley, the proprietors, remembered me from last time and were again welcoming and helpful.

The Bonnington Hotel on High Street

Moffat (from the Scottish Gaelic Am Magh Fada, ‘The Long Plain’) was a centre of the wool trade and was also a popular spa town. In the town’s marketplace is a statue of a ram by the sculptor William Brodie, which commemorates Moffat’s wool trade importance. The ram was presented to the town by William Colvin, a local businessman, in 1875.

The Moffat Ram–the ears have been missing since 1875

The High Street looking up from The Bonnington

The High Street looking down from The Bonnington

The Moffat Post Office, from where I sent home, on both trips, packages of books and gifts

As some of you may realize, I have not indulged in my love of jackdaws for a number of postings. However, here’s another instalment. After I checked in, I went to my room to unpack and when I looked out my window I noticed a few jackdaws on nearby rooftops. Suddenly, a whole flight of them decided to put on a display for me, I kid you not, for the next half an hour. Below are some photos I took of their aerobatics and antics:

After dinner from the local chipper, I spent the evening writing up notes and preparing my research schedule for the next few days. My next posting will feature an account of a wet climb up a nearby landmark.

That’s it for now. As always, I hope you’re enjoying these posts and I welcome any comments.

Cofion Cymes

Earl