Scotland 6:  Crathes Castle & Aberdeen

We got to Crathes Castle just at lunch time so went into the little castle cafe.  J was disappointed we didn't see any red deer while in Scotland, but at least he got to eat one.  And I was surprised by seeing Banana milk that I just had to try.  Tasted just like banana pudding that had been really thinned.  I also had a really yummy carrot basil soup.

Crathes Castle was on my top castles to see mostly because of the gardens.  We were there 3-4 weeks early for better garden viewing but timed it right this day to see the inside during a mild shower and outside just a bit after it stopped.  This castle is well kept and used for weddings and by the family, who entrusted it to Scotland, for family reunions.  It is lovely inside, though as usual we were not allowed to take pictures.  The neatest thing inside the castle was an antique four-poster bed that was intricately and beautifully German-carved.

The gardens were really fun to explore!

I Loved this funny tree--I called it the gumdrop tree.  They had several and every time I saw one I couldn't help but giggle.  The garden seemed to hold a mystical kind of magic and it was hard to leave.

But, on to Aberdeen!  We really wanted to get on to Stonehaven so we just did Aberdeen as a drive-by

The architecture on this building was a little over the top for me but still cool.  Aberdeen seemed to be a busy city but felt it more for business than pleasure as it felt in Glasgow.

This is the oldest building in Aberdeen still standing

On the drive out of Aberdeen there were TONS and TONS of daffodils.  I couldn't believe how many there were.  It was gorgeous!  We figured perhaps they planted them all because it took drivers minds off all the traffic.  We were glad that we did a stop-by in Aberdeen but our decision to spend more time in Stonehaven, which had charm oozing out of its streets, well worth it.

Next:  Stonehaven & Dunnottar Castle

Scotland 5:  Loch Ness and the Highlands

Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness.  Sadly, we did not capture an image on film of the notorious monster.

Inverness Castle.  Inverness is dubbed the "capitol of the Highlands" but it is a much quieter city than Glasgow or Edinburgh.  This is half a block from our Hostel.  Yes, I had my first hostel experience in a mixed-dorm 6 person tiny room on a bunk bed.  Interesting.

Many cities had war memorials from WWI and some from WWII as well.

Inverness had a neat little walking trail along the River Ness that went onto a grouping of islands connecting by bridges.  I LOVED the Celtic designs all over Scotland.

On the drive to the Eastern side of Scotland we hit snow! and happened upon this old ski lift, apparently out of use.

Then, more exciting was happening upon a ruined castle, Glenbuchat Castle, that we actually didn't have to pay an arm & a leg to go in and see!  It was really a cool castle!

This is more of a countryside castle and I romanticized about living there and waking up in this castle surrounded by beautiful, rolling green hills with tons of sheep on them.

This is Craigievar Castle, but I call it the pink castle.  Here we got a little more snow/slush and decided against a tour so we could carry on to Crathes Castle.

Next:  Crathes Castle & Aberdeen