BROUGHTY CASTLE

That insert is a photo of the current situation. Obviously we arrived at low tide.

Broughty Castle is a historic castle on the banks of the river Tay in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland. It was completed around 1495, although the site was earlier fortified in 1454 when George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus received permission to build on the site. His son Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus was coerced into ceding the castle to the crown. The main tower house forming the centre of the castle with four floors was built by Andrew, 2nd Lord Gray who was granted the castle in 1490. In 1846 the castle was bought by the Edinburgh and Northern Railway Company in order to build an adjacent harbour for their railway ferry. In 1855 the castle was acquired by the War Office with the intention of using it to defend the harbour from the Russians. The castle remained in military use until 1932, and again between 1939 and 1949. en.wikipedia.org:_Broughty_Castle

Broughty Castle is not the most imposing castle but it has a very nice armoury collection.
The stuffed birds cabinet, representative of the species found in the area, was nicely done too.

 

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE

Dunnottar Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Fhoithear, 'fort on the shelving slope') is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the northeastern coast of Scotland, about (3.2 kms south of Stonehaven). The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. The castle was restored in the 20th century. en.wikipedia.org:_Dunnottar_

An areal shot I copied from a display at the castle.
Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings
because of its strategic location and defensive strength.

A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads up to the gatehouse. The approach to the castle is overlooked by outworks on the "Fiddle Head", a promontory on the western side of the headland. The entrance is through the well-defended main gate, set in a curtain wall which entirely blocks a cleft in the rocky cliffs.

The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace.

Exploring Dunnottar Castle

Quite an exhausting climb but worth it, if you can manage.

Dunnottar Castle was a fine visit but a pity there were no decent facilities for a lunch or even a coffee. There was a
van in the carpark offering snacks and drinks but the blustery wind did not encourage a break out in the open.

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Stonehaven is close by to the castle but we had a disappointing visit here, only by searching left and right we managed
to find a half decent place to have a coffee and a sandwich. Avoid Stonehaven if you can, would be my advice.

ABERDEEN

Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city. During the mid-18th to mid-20th centuries, Aberdeen's buildings incorporated locally quarried grey granite, which can sparkle like silver because of its high mica content. Since the discovery of North Sea oil in the 1970s, Aberdeen has been known as the off-shore oil capital of Europe. The area around Aberdeen has been settled for at least 8,000 years, when prehistoric villages lay around the mouths of the rivers Dee and Don.

Churches, I found, are increasingly offered for sale or already have found new use.

Unfortunately, our visit to Aberdeen was marred by rain. We parked in the carpark of the Bon Accord Mall and had a rewarding visit to Waterstones bookstore. Then we walked outside and did a little exploring in the area, heading for
another bookstore: Books & Beans. But that wasn't a great success. We found the area not appealing and collected the
car and returned early to the hotel. While I had written down other suggestions to visit in Aberdeen we did not return.

Outside the parking garage I came across these huge murals. Really great work. Urban art.

And more!

DRUM CASTLE

The visit started with one of those typical idiosyncrasies one comes across here: there's always something out of
order or out of supply. Often one has to pay for the carpark, three pounds. They may have installed a machine that
accepts a credit card but they never work! So you have to drop 3 pounds in it, if you have the coins to satisfy the
bloddy machine. If not, like here at Drum Castle, you can pay at the office for the carpark but you are requested
to walk back and put the ticket on the dashboard, eventhough there are only 3 other cars parked.
That's what England and Scotland have in common: daily frustrations for things not working properly or not available.
And still very much a cash driven country, needing a good supply of coins and bills.

Drum Castle is a castle near Drumoak in Aberdeenshire. The place-name 'Drum' is derived from Gaelic druim, 'ridge'. The original 13th-century tower of Drum Castle is believed to be one of the three oldest tower houses in Scotland (and notably unaltered). A large wing was added in 1619 by the 9th laird, and further alterations were made during the Victorian era. The castle and its grounds were granted to William de Irwyn in 1325 by Robert the Bruce, and remained in the possession of Clan Irvine until 1975. William de Irwyn (of the Irvings of Bonshaw clan) was armour bearer/ secretary (and neighbor) to King Robert the Bruce. The castle is surrounded by late 18th-century gardens, including a rose garden and arboretum containing trees from all regions of the 18th century British Empire. en.wikipedia.org:_Drum_Castle

I liked this painting by Louis Dubois (1830-1880) very much

The wonderful library of Drum Castle

The library is situated in the tower, the oldest part of Drum Castle. It was made into a library in 1842-1845
by Alexander, 18th Laird of Drum - mainly to house his wife Jean's books! Jean Forbes was the only child of
Hugh Forbes of Schivas. On his death he left her a large library of books as well as a financial fortune.
The library houses over 4.000 books. Splendid!

From a painting in Drum Castle

We concluded our visit with a cream tea for lunch

After a frustrated start Drum Castle was found to be a fine visit

Castle Fraser

Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland and one of the grandest 'Castles of Mar'. There is archaeological evidence of an older square tower dating from around 1400 or 1500 within the current construction. The castle was modernised in a classical style in the late 18th century, with a new entrance inserted in the south side and sash windows throughout. Castle Fraser retains the atmosphere of a family home and still contains the original contents, including Fraser family portraits, furniture and collections. The evocative interiors represent all periods of the castle's history, from the Medieval stone vaulted Great Hall to the Regency Dining Room. en.wikipedia.org:_Castle_Fraser

Normally I don't much care for guided tours, but here there was no escaping and we got started right away.

Smoking a fine pipe in a comfortable chair at the fireplace, perhaps something from that decanter..

Fraser Castle also claimed a fine library, perhaps a game of cards of that funny billiards: it reminds me of
a table_shuffleboard but instead with a cuestick and little bals instead of flat pucks being pushed..? EMAIL

Sugar nippers, for breaking down sugar from a loaf or cone.

Upstairs, downstairs

Looking out at the walled garden

Castle Fraser is contemporary with other nearby castles: Craigievar Castle, Crathes Castle and Midmar Castle which
are also believed to have been designed by the Bell family of master masons.

These gardens were recreated by the National Trust for Scotland, 2003 - 2005.

TOLQUHON CASTLE

Consider these walls whitewashed and things are much improved..

Tolquhon Castle (pronounced: 'toh-hon', and sometimes spelt 'Tolquhoun') is located in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. The castle was built by William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon, between 1584 and 1589 as an extension to the earlier tower house known as Preston's Tower. Although ruined, the castle has been described as "the most characteristic château of the Scots Renaissance".  Tolquhon was designed for show rather than defence, and was the work of the mason-architect Thomas Leper or Leiper. Leper's distinctive triple shot-holes flank the main entrance,[1] and are also found at nearby Arnage Castle and Dean Castle in Ayrshire. Also unusual is the stone tilework in the main hall. en.wikipedia.org_Tolquhon_Castle

And again, consider these walls whitewashed and things look very different

These finials were used to decorate roof tops and apexes

A room with a view

The castle has a lot of swallows flying about, their swiftness inside the castle is amazing.
But nesting in the staircase, with its tunneling draft, is not a good idea. Several young ones found dead on the stairs.

SLAINS CASTLE

Slains Castle, also known as New Slains Castle to distinguish it from nearby Old Slains Castle, is a ruined castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It overlooks the North Sea from its cliff-top site 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) east of Cruden Bay. The core of the castle is a 16th-century tower house, built by the 9th Earl of Erroll. Significant reconstruction of the castle has been carried out a number of times, lastly in 1837 when it was rebuilt as a Scots Baronial mansion. At one time it had three extensive gardens, but is now a roofless ruin. Plans to restore the castle have been on hold since 2009. en.wikipedia.org:_New_Slains_Castle

There was one occupant which disapproved of my presence, giving me the eye and loud comments..

Mind where you go..

On our way to Knockhall Castle, proceeding over single lane tracks and not knowing what to expect, we decided to park
the car at this abandoned farm and walk up to the derelict castle. The farm was in itself, I think, a rewarding photo op.

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KNOCKHALL CASTLE

Knockhall Castle is a historic Scottish castle near to Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. It was built by Lord Sinclair of Newburgh in 1565. It was purchased by Clan Udny, who moved into the castle in 1634. The building was damaged in 1639 when taken by the Earl Marischal for the Covenanters, but was later returned to Udny hands. The Clan remained in the castle until 1734, when an accidental fire gutted the building and the Clan moved back to their other property, Udny Castle. The castle remains a ruin to this day. en.wikipedia.org:_Knockhall_Castle

 

BALVENIE CASTLE

Balvenie Castle was an impromptu visit. I noticed the sign and gave way to an impulse. We found it to be the castle
we had tried to visit a few years ago but was then closed because of renovations.

Balvenie Castle is a ruined castle near Dufftown in the Moray region of Scotland. Originally known as Mortlach, it was built in the 12th century by a branch of the powerful Comyn family (the Black Comyns) and extended and altered in the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle fell out of use in the early 14th century when the Comyns were reduced by Robert the Bruce. Today, the remains of the castle are managed by Historic Scotland; however, ownership continues in private hands. The current owner is Jeremy Duncan Nicholson, Baron of Balvenie, who resides in Atlanta, Georgia in the U.S.A. Balvenie whisky is produced by William Grant & Sons at the Balvenie distillery down the hill from the castle. en.wikipedia.org:_Balvenie_Castle

Cooking - Baking - Brewing

RZSS HIGHLAND WILDLIFE PARK

The Highland Wildlife Park is a 105-hectare (260-acre) safari park and zoo near Kingussie, Highland in Scotland. The park is located within the Cairngorms National Park. The park is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. The Highland Wildlife Park was opened in 1972.  With the exception of Christmas Day, the park is open every day of the year, weather permitting. en.wikipedia.org:_Highland_Wildlife_Park

The Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis; NL: Brandgans) belongs to the genus Branta of black geese.
Mom seems to comment loudly to keep her chicks together, a universal thing.

Polar Bear with something to chew on for later

Arctic Fox

'Bad hair'-day..?

Moment of tenderness

 

 

Ruthven Castle was a D-plan tower castle at Ruthven, Angus, Scotland. The castle was built pre-16th century near
the eastern bank of the Isla River and was largely demolished in 1790 for construction of Ruthven House.
It was once in the hands of the Lindsays, Earls of Crawford, then passed onto the Crichtons before being
bought by an Ogilvy in 1744. Near RSPB Insh Marshes, maybe deserving of a future visit..
en.wikipedia.org:_Ruthven_Castle,_Angus

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While sailing on the river Tyne, we say good bye to Scotland but are certain to return.
The Collingwood Monument and Tynemouth Priory and Castle are detailed on my Scotland 2016.

 

EXTERNAL LINKS:
en.wikipedia.org:_Castles_in_Great_Britain_and_Ireland
www.english-heritage.org.uk