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!
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.
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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.
After touring the house, I had to pop into the restaurant, and couldn’t resist at least one shot there!
I was then off to tour the gardens. There’s not much I need to say, when I have these photos to show you.
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.
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
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
In 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 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.
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.)
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The Pollock House is indeed very handsome, made especially so by that stone that I seem to have seen in a lot of photos of Glasgow. Typical of the area?
And smoked haddock chowder sounds very nice. I’m a sucker for any kind of smoked fish.
Wow, this place is so beautiful. I hope to go to Scotland for the first time next summer! Can’t wait.
You’ll fall in love with Scotland; that’s my prediction, Jenna! :)
Man they just take tea time to a whole new level don’t they? Luckily there’s beautiful gardens to work off a biscuit or two. Those school kids dressed up courtseying for you is too cute. Look like an amazing and magical place.
Amazing and magical are two excellent adjectives, Kelly. Spot on!
Is that Helensburgh toffee on the top plate of the cake stand? I remember Helensburgh toffee every Christmas in that special box so well! I went to Helensburgh about 15 or 16 years ago, and tried to find it with no luck. Someone in one of the “sweetie shops” I was looking in told me that the factory had closed down. I must try to make some, there are recipes for it out there.
I have never heard of Helensburgh toffee, but Melanie makes tablet, which is what you see on the top tier. Let me know if you find the recipe!
Christina, I am so embarrassed. Looking at your stunning photos, your lovely write-up and I’m feeling like a Scot who doesn’t know her own country! I have never been to Pollock House – never mind the afternoon tea. It’s high time I visited! Thanks for the inspiration and the push…
Don’t feel badly! This was my very first time, too! I have to admit, it is much easier having a membership to the Royal Oak Foundation as budget isn’t an issue. I can just look at the map and decide where I want to go! So many amazing places, and I have many more to see!
Scotland has such beautiful scenery, gardens & food. You captured it very well. And thanks for taking a picture of a Scottish thistle. It is so unique.
Thank you, Cathy! Yes, I love Scotland, even though I’m biased, many visitors agree! :) You know, that purple flower looks like a thistle, but it’s not a normal Scottish thistle, so I wonder if it’s a cousin of some sort. I have no idea, but I love purple anyway and it is unique, whatever it is. If you look closely, you’ll see an insect on it, too, which I didn’t see at the time.
You would seriously have to watch me around that basket of biscuits, I would take the whole thing and run! I have never heard of skink, but it looks divine! I am going to have to look that one up for my hubby! The gardens look so lovely too, great for digestion ;-)
I was so confused about a basket of biscuits as I was thinking British biscuits (as in cookies), but then I realized that you thought the basket of scones were actually American biscuits! Haha! So confusing! So thanks to your comment, I’ve clarified the photo with a caption! :) I’ll have a recipe for Cullen Skink up soon!
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