Having completed lots of the surrounds of Inverness and Nairn yesterday, we decided today we would drive out to visit Aberdeen, stopping lots along the way. First we headed into Nairn to peruse the charity shops before heading out along the A 96 towards Elgin. Initially the plan was to take the most direct route to Aberdeen without stopping and then make stops on the way home. However with all good plans, that changed. Stopping in Elgin, Keith and Huntly, we explored the little towns (...to look at more charity shops!) before we made it to Aberdeen.
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| Elgin |
It was very overcast and grey, appearing to be threatening to pour with rain all day, though it never actually rained. It was as if Scotland was confirming all the stereotypes that this beautiful country side is all grey and dull. Unfortunately once we arrived in Aberdeen the city didn't do much to change this view!
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| Mum, Isla and I |
We drove through the city and found some more shops to visit. Before departing the city, we had one stop to make to drop off a present for my sister back home, a friend she had made in Mexico on a Guide trip, but lived in Scotland and was attending the University of Aberdeen. Our suitcase space was cheaper than postage from Australia!
Finishing up in Aberdeen we headed back out along the Highland Tourist Route the A944. Once again we stopped at just about every little town we drove through, mainly to look through charity shops again! Kirkton of Skene, Alford, Cabrach and Dufftown were the major towns we stopped in. Major meaning they had a main street and about more than 5 houses!
With more ass than class, we stumbled upon the Glenfiddich Distillery, which we had missed the final tour but had a walk around and look through the gift shop. Glenfiddich is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky owned and produced by William Grant & Sons in Dufftown, Scotland. Glenfiddich means "Valley of the Deer" in Scottish Gaelic, hence the Glenfiddich logo being a Stag.
Around the corner was Balvenie Castle, a ruined castle originally known as Mortlach, it was built in the 12th century by a branch of the powerful Comyn family and extended and altered in the 15th and 16th centuries.
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| Balveine Castle |
Heading back to Nairn, we again drove through Elgin, but Old Elgin. Here we discovered the Lady Hill Monument. On top of Lady Hill a 24m high pillar was erected in 1839 in honour of the 5th Duke of Gordon, the first Commander of the Gordon Highlanders regiment. The Duke's statue was placed on the pillar in 1855. The site is also home to the ruins of King David I castle built in 1130. The castle was occupied by King Edward I during the 1296 and 1303 Wars of Independence before it was taken and destroyed by the Scots in 1308. The name Lady Hill is said to come from the Chapel of Our Lady which was at one time was attached to the castle.
From here we headed home, back along the A96, stopping at Sainsbury's to find some dinner along the way!
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| The Highland Cow we found along the way |
Red Phone Box!
Fairy Mushrooms on the side of the road!
BEAUTIFUL. Did you think about looking up Susan Boyle, love her so much. xxx.
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