A day to sleep in, have a leisurely morning and regroup for the final 2 weeks of this excursion! The whole crew headed off to Crathes Castle just before noon today. It's a 16th century castle gifted to the original family by Robert of Bruce. Supposedly the best example of Scottish baronial architecture?! Quite well restored inside with artifacts etc. from the 15th-18th centuries. Amazing topiaries and garden walks - even this late in the season. The leaves are turning colour and it was a wonderful Indian summer day (not sure what it's called in Scotland!). The sweaters I bought in Wales have been put away for awhile and it's back to a light jacket!
We had a picnic lunch on the castle grounds - can you imagine? To be having a picnic in Scotland at a castle!!
We went down the road 5 miles to Drum Castle. Totally different in appearance (I preferred this one). It has a 13th century Norman keep with a restored Jacobean mansion house and gardens. Quite impressive!
We are going out to dinner tonight to celebrate Rachel and Mom's birthdays and tomorrow will head down the coast to Dunnotar Castle. It was apparently the setting of Hamlet (the Mel Gibson version) and is one of those incredibly imposing castles high on a cliffside! I have enjoyed the restored castles but still love the ruins!
We had a picnic lunch on the castle grounds - can you imagine? To be having a picnic in Scotland at a castle!!
We went down the road 5 miles to Drum Castle. Totally different in appearance (I preferred this one). It has a 13th century Norman keep with a restored Jacobean mansion house and gardens. Quite impressive!
We are going out to dinner tonight to celebrate Rachel and Mom's birthdays and tomorrow will head down the coast to Dunnotar Castle. It was apparently the setting of Hamlet (the Mel Gibson version) and is one of those incredibly imposing castles high on a cliffside! I have enjoyed the restored castles but still love the ruins!
