We have arrived safe and sound in Scotland! I am going to be hard pressed to decide which area is my favourite! I was sad to leave Wales but quickly grew to love the new scenery. We drove through the Lake District. I am a bit disappointed in what is happening to these beautiful spots because of tourism. The coach buses and people everywhere make it hard to see the landscape! Windemere on a Saturday was wall to wall people! I was glad to leave and just be on the winding roads (with Dad driving!) Scotland too has spectacular views. Our first stop was Gretna Green - where young lovers in the late 1700's/early 1800's would run to elope at the local blacksmith's shop. I have read so many books from the period mentioning Gretna Green that it was exciting to actually see it. The blacksmith's shop is still there and people are still getting married there!! There were two weddings in the space of an hour that we were there and there are weddings all day at 30 min. intervals!! I guess it's the Vegas/Niagara Falls of Scotland! But, it was interesting to see the sight and read the history.Glasgow didn't get much attention but I am finding that the cities don't appeal as much as being in the countryside. Our goal today was to get to Paisley, Scotland (at one time twinned with my hometown Paisley, Ontario). After a few wrong turns in "not so nice" Glasgow streets, we found it. This is the church we pulled up beside. While taking pictures, a woman heading in asked Dad if he wanted a tour so took us in. Built 1163, it is a bit older than our Paisley and a magnificent building! It was Harvest Sunday so there were displays of fruit and vegetables and flowers to add to the scene. A nice way to start a Sunday morning!
On to Stirling to see Stirling Castle. A later construction than the ones we've seen so far (1530) but impressive all the same.
We wanted to get some sense of the mountains and highlands so went north from Stirling to Braemar and did a quick pass of Balmoral Castle. Closed for the season to tourists so I only got a picture of the gates but the countryside alone was worth the trip! We were diverted onto an estate road when an enormous flock of sheep took over the main road! Only in Scotland!!
We arrived in Aberdeen just after 6 and had a wonderful home-cooked meal with Liz and David and Martin and Rachel. Lots to see and do in the area and so little time!
