Christina's Cucina

An impassioned Italian Scot sharing how to cook authentically, and travel with enthusiasm.

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Home » Non Sequitur » The Pollok House, Afternoon Tea at Craigard Tea Room and Geilston Garden

The Pollok House, Afternoon Tea at Craigard Tea Room and Geilston Garden

December 10th, 2015 | 22 Comments

The Pollok House in Glasgow is a hidden gem that you simply must make a point to visit. The gardens alone are a beautiful place to see. And don’t miss the Highland cows!

Pollok House, Glasgow, Scotland

Move over, Downton Abbey. The Pollok house in Glasgow is Scotland’s answer to Highclere Castle!

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In fact, when I visited the Pollok House, this past September, after driving up from England, I ran into a class of school children who were dressed up as lords and ladies, wait staff and serving girls: a veritable miniature version of the Downton Abbey cast! Each time I passed them, they all bowed and curtsied to me; it was adorable! I wish I could have taken a photo for you, but–children and photos and laws–you know.

Disclosure: I was given a one year Royal Oak Foundation Membership; all thoughts and opinions are mine.

SPECIAL OFFER: If you’re heading to the UK this year, don’t miss joining the Royal Oak Foundation before you go! Not only does your membership grant you free admission to all the National Trust Properties in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and National Trust of Scotland properties, but also includes a parking pass! There’s a perfect membership level for everyone (including students.)

Click here and use the discount code, “CUCINA2020” to receive a 10% discount!

The Pollok House

Pollok House, a National Trust for Scotland property, which has reciprocal benefits with the National Trust (and therefore, the Royal Oak Foundation) is located in the center of Glasgow, in Pollok Park. My Royal Oak membership was still valid from last year, so I had free admission.

Although I did visit the interior of the house and enjoyed it immensely, no photography is allowed, so you’ll just have to put it on your list and know that it’s very worthwhile. Here’s a view from the inside.

View from the Pollok House in Glasgow, Scotland

After touring the house, I had to pop into the restaurant, and couldn’t resist at least one shot there!

Scones at Pollok House in Glasgow, Scotland
These are scones, not American biscuits. There is a big difference!

I was then off to tour the gardens. There’s not much I need to say, when I have these photos to show you.

Pollok House, Glasgow

Steps in the gardens at Pollok House, Glasgow, Scotland

Pollok House, Glasgow, Scotland

Pollok House, river in Scotland

Pollock House river with Clydesdale horse

The Pollok House is worth seeing in itself, but add the gardens and it’s a “don’t miss” attraction in Glasgow. I can’t believe this was my first time visiting it.

Also, the Burrell Collection is located within Pollok Park, so if it’s a rainy day, which may actually happen when you’re in Scotland (ha ha!), you could visit this brilliant collection of art, artifacts, paintings, and more. Be sure to check the opening times, though, as I believe it’s undergoing a major renovation soon.

You’ll also get a chance to see loads of Highland cows before or after going to the Pollock House, within Pollock Park.

Highland cow (or coo) at Pollock Park in Glasgow

Highland cows (or coos) at Pollock Park in Glasgow

After I visited the Pollok House, I drove back to meet my cousin, Peter as I was taking him out for lunch at my good friend, Melanies’ Craigard Tea Room, in Helensburgh (pronounced “Helens burrah”). Peter is usually the one feeding me (fish and chips), so it was my turn to take him out.

Craigard Tea Room

Craigard, Tea Room, Helensburgh, Scotland

I wrote the story of how I first found Melanie’s tea room three years ago, when I posted this Red Lentil and (Barley) Soup recipe, that my daughter fell in love with. Since then, Melanie and I have become friends online, and now in real life! She’s an incredible human being and bakes like nobody’s business, also heading up the Scottish Baking Awards, in addition to running her cosy and very Scottish tea room!

Craigard Tea Room, Helensburgh, Scotland

Pete had never been to Craigard, but I had been raving about Melanie’s Cullen Skink, so we both ordered a bowl. Luckily, we got the last two bowls of the day; that was a close call! If you don’t know what Cullen Skink is, it’s a smoked haddock chowder that is phenomenal! Smoked haddock is not easy to find in the US, but I’ve now found Stonington Seafood in Maine, and this haddock is top notch. Recipe coming soon!

Cullen-SKink-Craigard-Tearoom.jpg

Melanie recently started offering afternoon tea and although the Cullen Skink and homemade bread and butter was really filling, I couldn’t leave without trying her sandwiches and treats! I’ve had her meringues and honestly, I could be enticed into doing lots of things for just one of them!

Afternoon Tea at Craigard Tea Room, Helensburgh, Scotland

Of course, everything was deliciously tasty, and Pete became a new fan of Craigard Tea Room. Lucky him, he’s driving distance from there, unlike me. If you travel to Scotland and are in Glasgow, make it a point to go to Melanie’s tea room. Loch Lomond is nearby and you can make it a day out in the area nearby.

Craigard Team Room, Helensburgh, Scotland

Helensburgh is a beautiful town and you can visit the Hill House, designed by famous Scottish architect and designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh right up the street from Craigard Tea Room.

Helensburgh, ScotlandIn fact, on the way home, Pete and I stopped by Geilston Garden, another National Trust for Scotland property to which my Royal Oak Foundation membership allowed us entry at no charge. Pete had never been, but I had visited the gardens a few years ago with my family. However it had been cold and rainy and I really wanted to see it in the sunshine. It turns out, it was really worth stopping–what a difference!

Geilston Garden

Geilston Garden, ScotlandPink stock at Geilston Garden, Scotland

Geilston Garden, under the leaves!

Walking through Geilston Garden in Scotland

Trail through Geilston Garden

Geilston Garden is relatively small, so we were only there for about half an hour. Obviously, one could spend much longer and see even more. I was so glad to see it in the sunshine, it made a world of difference.

Thistle in Geilston Garden

The next day was going to be my last full day in Scotland, and of my culinary tour of Europe. I have to admit, I was starting to feel all the traveling was catching up with me and I was feeling a bit weary. It was six straight weeks of going non-stop, though, so I felt it was a justified tiredness.

However, I was ending on a high note as Pete’s wife, Helen, and I were going to have afternoon tea at Gleneagles Hotel! A perfect ending in my homeland, doing one of the things I love best. It was bittersweet as I was elated to go to Gleneagles, but so sad at having to end my amazing journey.

Click here to continue to my last post on my culinary tour of Europe!

Don’t forget to use discount code “CUCINA2020 for a 10% discount
on any annual Royal Oak Foundation membership.
The pass
 offers free admission and parking at all UK National Trust properties
as well as National Trust for Scotland properties and more.


Disclosure: I was given a one year Royal Oak Membership; all thoughts and opinions are mine. I am disclosing this in accordance with FCC regulations. (I paid for my cousin’s lunch, and my own lunch at Craigard Tea Room.)

Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees.  Done by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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Country, My Rants & Recommendations, Non Sequitur, SCOTLAND, Uncategorized · Britain, Craigard Tea Room, Cullen Skink, europe, gardens, Glasgow, Helensburgh, National Trust for Scotland, Pollok House, Pollok Park, Review, Reviews, Royal Oak Foundation, Scotland, Tea Rooms, Travel, UK

Reader Interactions

22 Responses

  1. Visiting Waddesdon Manor, Blenheim Palace and Tatton Park - Christina's Cucina says:
    September 12, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    […] Click here to continue on my culinary tour of Europe. […]

    Reply
  2. The Edwardian Kitchen Ham, Piccalilli and Cucumber Sandwich - Christina's Cucina says:
    September 3, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    […] you are interested in more on the Pollok House, you can read this or go directly to their […]

    Reply
  3. Cullen Skink, Just a Strange Scottish Name for Smoked Haddock Chowder says:
    February 4, 2016 at 10:43 am

    […] also love Cullen Skink, which is essentially smoked haddock chowder. After tasting it in my friend Melanie’s Craigard Tea Room over a year ago, I knew it was one of those things I’d have to make at […]

    Reply
  4. David says:
    December 19, 2015 at 7:17 am

    The Gardens are beautiful! But I would give a lot to get my hands on one of those scones!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      December 19, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      I’m with you, David! ;)

      Reply
  5. A 5 Star Afternoon Tea Experience at Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland says:
    December 14, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    […] shared The Pollock House, The Craigard Tea Room and Geilston Garden with you recently, and explained that the next day would be the final day of my culinary tour. My […]

    Reply
  6. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says:
    December 14, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    So beautiful! The weather looks like it was fantastic! Scotland can be cold, even in the summer!

    Reply
  7. Murissa says:
    December 13, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    So picturesque!
    I love high tea and the selection from Craigard is delightful!

    Reply
« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. Visiting Waddesdon Manor, Blenheim Palace and Tatton Park - Christina's Cucina says:
    September 12, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    […] Click here to continue on my culinary tour of Europe. […]

    Reply
  2. The Edwardian Kitchen Ham, Piccalilli and Cucumber Sandwich - Christina's Cucina says:
    September 3, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    […] you are interested in more on the Pollok House, you can read this or go directly to their […]

    Reply
  3. Cullen Skink, Just a Strange Scottish Name for Smoked Haddock Chowder says:
    February 4, 2016 at 10:43 am

    […] also love Cullen Skink, which is essentially smoked haddock chowder. After tasting it in my friend Melanie’s Craigard Tea Room over a year ago, I knew it was one of those things I’d have to make at […]

    Reply
  4. A 5 Star Afternoon Tea Experience at Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland says:
    December 14, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    […] shared The Pollock House, The Craigard Tea Room and Geilston Garden with you recently, and explained that the next day would be the final day of my culinary tour. My […]

    Reply

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Meet Christina

A Scottish Italian cook living in Los Angeles, Christina is usually cooking, baking or (cr)eating something scrumptious. When she isn't in the kitchen, she loves to travel, near and far, as long as good food is involved. Christina is on a mission to save authentic Italian dishes from extinction, and is constantly promoting Scottish (and British) food as some of the best cuisine the world has to offer—one steak pie and sticky toffee pudding at a time.



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