Sunday at Scrabo Tower, Newtownards

I know it took me a whole week to blog about last week’s explore, and here I am again, sharing where we went today.

On the way to visit my parents we stopped off today at Scrabo Tower. It can be seen from miles around, overlooking the town of Newtownards and Strangford Lough.

It is quite a steep climb up from the carpark.  It has been years since we have been up here, and it was steeper than I remember…..but then I am probably 20 years older!

There are stunning views in all directions.

Finally the tower itself.

The tower was a gift from the grateful residents of Newtownards as a thank you to their benevolant local landowner, the 3rd Marquis of Londonderry, who looked after them so well during the Irish famine. The inscription reads

“Erected in memory of Charles William Vane
3rd Marquis of Londonderry KG and C by his tenantry and friends
Fame belongs to history, remembrance to us 1857”

It was a cloudy overcast day, and I could just about see the shipyards of Belfast and the home of the Titanic in the distance.

Heading back down I could not help thinking how natural and low key this fence was, as opposed to an ugly plastic green one at the Dark Hedges ….. this is how a fence SHOULD be done!

Finally a few warning signs, as not surprisingly there are a few rather steep drops and cliff edges around.

Is there a local landmark/viewing point where you live?