
Why Scotland's Dunmore Pineapple is shaped the way it is
Why is the 'bizarre' Dunmore Pineapple in Scotland shaped the way it is?
The Pineapple was named the 'most bizarre' building in Scotland all the way back in 1995 (Image: Tripadvisor) Ranked the "most bizarre" building in the whole of Scotland in 1995, the Dunmore Pineapple was built as a hothouse in 1761.
This greenhouse of sorts was used to grow a range of exotic fruits, including pineapples, which were among the rarest and most elite foods in Europe.
The building was expanded over the years, with John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, adding the upper-floor pavilion or summerhouse upon his return from his post as the last Colonial Governor of Virginia.
The structure today has been dubbed both "strange and beautiful" by the National Trust for Scotland and, much like today, "amazed and inspired" visitors back in the 18th century.
The Pineapple is very popular today (Image: Tripadvisor) Because of this, the Scottish location is well worth a visit, with the grounds apparently being an "oasis for wildlife".
Here, visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk around the former curling pond and surrounding woodlands.
Recommended Reading:
It has been given a positive rating on Tripadvisor, receiving a 3.8/5 out of 248 reviews.
One person said: "Been on our visit list for a while. It's quirky and beautiful. We were more impressed with the growing Kiwi fruit growing nearby."
Another added: "Loved seeing this whilst on a walk with friends! So many hidden gems in the area, can't wait to return to see more!"
A third wrote: "The pineapple was interesting, but the best bit was the ruins of the old house, which was about a 30-minute walk following the tracks through the woodlands and scrub (not signposted so bit of a mystery tour)."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Cops using wristbands to stop tourists from crashing on Scots roads
Scottish cops recently took another step to target tourists from the US YOU'RE UNDER A-WRIST Cops using wristbands to stop tourists from crashing on Scots roads Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TOURISTS arriving in Scotland are being given wristbands by cops to help prevent them from crashing on the country's roads. Holidaymakers driving the wrong way on rural roads caused a surge in crashes which have resulted in deaths. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Tourists have been given wristbands with safety advice by cops Credit: Police Scotland 5 The scheme is a fresh bid to stop holidaymakers from driving on the wrong side of the road Credit: Police Scotland 5 They were met by cops while renting cars at Edinburgh Airport Credit: Andrew Barr - The Sun Glasgow 5 Tourists driving the wrong way have caused crashes on Highland roads Credit: Alamy The latest data shows 35 collisions in Scotland in 2023 were due to overseas visitors' inexperience of the rule, up from 24 the year before. Cops are now stepping up their efforts to stop visitors from getting into accidents by giving them wristbands. Traffic police met tourists renting cars at Edinburgh Airport on August 6 in a bid to remind them how to drive when in Scotland - particularly on rural Highland roads. One of their top priorities was to make sure holidaymakers stayed on the left hand side of the road and hopefully avoid deadly head-on crashes. So instead of slapping handcuffs on drivers' wrists, traffic cops spent the day giving them wristbands. They were armed with several versions of the rubber armwear - which reads "drive on the left" in several different languages. Wristbands with the message written in English, Italian, German and Chinese were among those handed out so motorists will be able to see it when their hands are on the wheel. Cops hope it will act as a reminder when people are driving and stop them from straying into the path of oncoming motors. Constable Kevin Lynch said: 'We want everyone visiting Scotland to have a safe and enjoyable trip. "Our roads, particularly rural and single-track routes can be unfamiliar to overseas drivers, so it's important that visitors are aware and drive with care. UK family-of-four including twins, 20, killed in head-on car crash in Portugal hours after renting car from airport "We remain committed to ensuring our roads remain safe and promoting road safety." It is the latest measure Police Scotland has taken to educate tourists on the roads. We previously told how the force was targeting American tourists on the North Coast 500 over their bad driving. Last year cops dealt with a number of serious collisions involving tourists, many of whom were from the US. Cops began speaking with rental companies, asking them to pass advice onto people hiring cars and motorhomes to journey the Highlands in. They even contacted the American Consulate in Edinburgh to try and get their help in stopping US nationals getting into serious smashes on the route. Tourists lack of knowledge with Scotland's roads has led to tragedy in the past. Last year, a Chinese tourist drove the wrong way on the A9 from Inverness to Pitlochry and smashed into biker Andrew MacPherson on his Harley Davidson. Mr MacPherson suffered horror injuries in the crash and tragically lost his life. The tourist, 51-year-old Die Huang, was jailed for 14 months. And in 2020, a German tourist ended up killing his girlfriend in a head on crash during their first holiday together in the Highlands. Gerrit Reickmann was behind the wheel of their rental motor when he ended up going into the opposite lane and colliding headfirst with a Honda CRV. His girlfriend of five months Melinda Rosa Paprer, 24, tragically died in the collision near Borlum Farm in Drumnadrochit. Reickmann admitted causing the death by careless driving and seriously injuring the woman driving the other motor.


Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful village hidden in the middle of a UK city that's 'so worth a visit'
Tucked away in a picturesque enclave, the village is an oasis in the middle of a city and a hit with tourists who stumble upon it Dean Village, a peaceful and enchanting oasis in Edinburgh beside the Water of Leith, merely moments from the vibrant Princes Street. Originally the centre of grain processing during the 12th century, it has evolved into a residential area rich in heritage and charm, with traces of its manufacturing past still evident through scattered millstones and commemorative plaques featuring images of baked produce. This picturesque village in Scotland proves popular amongst visitors who make the effort to discover it. The UK Tour Guide, a travel content creator on Instagram, holds special affection for this corner of Edinburgh, reports the Express. In a social media video, he declared: "Next time you visit Edinburgh, you have to take a 15 minute walk to the quiet, hidden village inside the city. Dean Village with its wonderful flowing water, cobbled streets and picturesque buildings, it's a must to add to any bucket list. I know I have posted about Dean Village before, I just really like it there!" The famous Dean Bridge, an architectural triumph by Thomas Telford finished in 1831, links the settlement to the city centre through its magnificent sandstone spans rising 39 metres from the valley floor. Upon arrival you'll discover Well Court, a significant Victorian structure at the village's core. Built in 1886 as exemplary accommodation for labourers, it was crafted by Sidney Mitchell featuring striking red sandstone design, towers and a delightful central yard. After undergoing restoration work during the 2000s, Well Court remains a residential building today, perfectly marrying its fascinating heritage with modern-day living. The property serves as a major draw in Dean Village, providing guests with a glimpse into Edinburgh's industrial heritage alongside breathtaking scenery. Boasting magnificent architecture and peaceful cobblestone lanes, this charming settlement sits along the waterfront within a quiet stretch of The Water of Leith Walkway. The impressive 12.75-mile route runs from Balerno through to Leith Docks, featuring numerous landmarks such as St. Bernard's Well and the Royal Botanic Garden. Dean Village has received glowing reviews on Tripadvisor, with one visitor describing the location as a "Hidden gem in the middle of the city", whilst another remarked, "Absolutely gorgeous little spot and easily walkable from the centre of town." A third visitor noted: "We discovered this village as it was only a short walk from our hotel. It really is so worth a visit, you can't believe that you are so close to the city centre."


Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Two Scottish beaches named among best in Europe for dog-friendly adventures
One is an extremely popular seaside spot for families near Glasgow TOTALLY PAW-SOME Two Scottish beaches named among best in Europe for dog-friendly adventures Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO Scottish beaches have been crowned among the best in Europe for a dog-friendly day out. Scores of people are constantly looking for places to enjoy a day out with their four-legged friend. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Two Scottish beaches made it to the top 20 dog-friendly list Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 4 They are the perfect spots to take your four-legged friend Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 4 The beaches are among the best in Europe Credit: Alamy Travel experts at CV Villas ended up finding the best coastal spots for their canine capers. Beaches from across Europe ended up on their top 20 list. There were some excellent locations from some popular holiday spots. And a couple of locations north of the border made it to the list. The number one spot went to Plage de la Salie Sud in the southwest of France, which was crowned the best place for a pooch to get the sand beneath their paws. The golden sands of Portugal's Praia Do Cabedelo took the second place spot. For dog-lovers looking for something a bit closer to home, they can head to Norfolk's Holkham Beach's vast 6.43 km stretch of sand - which was the last of the top three. Although Scotland's beaches got their recognition, and the two that made the list are extremely popular. Irvine Beach in Ayrshire made the list at number 19. The coastal spot is an extremely popular spot for families and friends to enjoy some rare Scottish sunshine. Terrifying moment tourists scream as fighter jet performs nail-biting low passes and aerobatics over Spanish beach And more importantly it is completely dog-friendly. Pet lovers can play fetch with their canine companions or allow their pooch to cool off with a swim in the sea. And in 11th place was Sandhead Beach in Dumfries and Galloway. The golden beach, which stretches for over a mile, is a great spot for summer picnics and windsurfing. And the sheltered bay is good for long walk with the family pet. A spokesperson for CV Villas said: "Anyone who owns a dog will know how much they love the beach, but with many beaches across Europe banning dogs throughout the peak summer months, choosing a beach destination for your dog-friendly holiday can be surprisingly tricky. "As such, CV Villas dug into the average annual temperature, size, and terrain from over 130 European beaches to create a unique Dog-Friendly Beach Score out of 100, revealing the best pooch-perfect ones."