Cally Gardens

Explorer Tom Belvedere Lodge is a nineteenth-century gatehouse that would explain the 1800s to a teenager as 'a time before phones where people were just really polite'. This lodge has been standing guard over Cally House while the world changed around it without noticing. It’s got that 'I’m important because I have columns' kind of attitude going on. Find the date carved somewhere and feel clever.

Explorer Tom High Creoch is hiding a stone tool and a loomweight that seem to be plotting something ancient and mysterious together. There’s definitely a hidden message in those rocks, probably complaining about how much they’ve been ignored by history buffs. You don’t need to climb the hill to feel the weight of its unassigned period. Make up your own legend and I’ll swear it’s true

Explorer Tom The Temple at Cally House Policies is an eighteenth-century folly that would describe itself to a stranger as 'very architectural, very confused, and slightly damp'. This little structure was built for no real reason other than looking fancy from the main house. It’s got that 'I’m a piece of art but I also leak when it rains' energy. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Cally Castle is a messy mix of earthworks and towers, like a medieval designer who couldn't decide on a theme. There was definitely a dance party there that went too far, ending with someone falling into a furrow. Great spot to propose. Or at least to propose lunch.

Explorer Tom Bar Hill has a plantation bank that might be real or might just be a very ambitious pile of dirt pretending to have history. There are stories of smugglers using the ridge to hide barrels of something illicit, probably just very good cheese that got too expensive. It’s all very uncertain but sounds much better than it actually is. Bring the dog

Explorer Tom Cardoness Castle witnessed a love story that went so badly wrong someone probably threw a very expensive goblet at the wall. The stone still looks bruised and slightly offended about the whole situation, honestly. Pretend it's yours and plan the housewarming.