Virtual Visit Northern Ireland

I grew up living in the Scrabo Estate so Scrabo Tower was the first thing I saw every morning from my bedroom window. I took it for granted in those days but now that I have travelled to different parts of the world I have come to realise how lucky I was to have such a beautiful place to explore any time I wanted to. It was my playground as a child in the days when it was safe for children to roam the countryside from morning to night.

My dear brother's ashes are at the base of scrabo tower, we were all born in Ireland and this is where we used to roll our easter eggs down the hill.

Hugh McKay, my great-great-grandfather, was the first caretaker. His daughter, sarah-jane, married Joseph Millin. Their three daughters were the Millin sisters, who lived in the tower until the 1960s.

I would be interested to hear from any of the McKay family. I can be easily found on facebook.

Regards,

Darren

My 4 x great grandfather Hugh McKay was a labourer/caretaker at the tower for 40 years. My research shows that his son James was also. stone mason at the tower.  I'm hoping to visit next year to continue with family history research

Great 360, they should have this in a new location every month.

I used to like going up to Scrabo at easter time when I lived in Newtownards. My Uncle used to do work for the people in the tower, back in the 1950s.

Great virtual tour.  Would like to visit the area and also the Mount Stewart Garden which I have recently seen on Gardeners World.  It is really beautiful.  

climbed to the top of Scrabo Tower yesterday with my granddaughter.  brought back memories of taking tea there with the millan sisters who were the last  
caretakers.   The first caretaker was William Mckay          grandfather of above and also a relation of mine      as my grandfather was Jim Mckay and i think he was a nephew   A great day down memory lane.

what a beautiful place xx

My friends took me to see the tower. There is very little information about why and who built the tower. The local people told us several different stories. The sign at the car park was just as vague. The views were awesome without climbing the 122 steps and you can see a long way without going up the tower, though the climb to the tower can be a challenge. There are picnic tables to rest at along the way. A "must see" in Northern Ireland.

I grew up under(quite literterly) Scrabo Tower, in the West Winds Estate. I cannot say what it might be like today but the one thing I can say or sure the landscape I had the priveledge to grow up in will stay with me forever. I live in England and have done now for 25 years, however have never in my travels to some wonderful places arond the world seen again the beauty of such a wonderful place, just nowhere I have been compares to Ards.