Country House

Freezing mornings have been increasingly giving way to fine sunny afternoons. And today was no exception. Spent about three hours with the family at Vogrie Country Park, Midlothian. The trails and adventure playpark were jam-packed.

The interior of Vogrie House, pictured here, is the text-book definition of faded grandeur; and, as the hub of a council-run facility geared up for community use, all the better for it. One of the large reception rooms of this baronial-style house is almost full with a soft-play den - ablaze with primary-colours and scuffed leather cubes and triangles - while next door the cafe does a steady trade. Stuffy, dust-gathering country piles with antique furniture and still-life watercolours just aren't where my wee girl is at right now!