Wow, another beautiful day in Scotland. We will spend the morning in Aberdeen, before following the coastline down to Dundee, then across to St Andrews, before cutting slightly inland for the evening at Glenrothes.
Photo of the day
Scurdie Ness Lighthouse.
Aberdeen
Exploring some street sculptures in Aberdeen centre, here the trumpet like ‘The Listener’.The Scottish knight Sir William Wallace, with the dome of St. Mark’s Church in the background.St. Mary’s Cathedral, a service was in progress, so we didn’t go in.Jarno viewing his empire. OK, just checking out the view over Aberdeen and the River Dee from Torry Point Battery.A ship leaving the bustling Aberdeen Harbour past the South Breakwater.And the same ship in the distance as we drove south along the coast road out towards Cove. A road, railway line and footpath all following the same coastal route out of Aberdeen.
Dunnottar Castle
The remains of the medieval Dunnottar Castle perched on near vertical cliffs over the North Sea. It was super busy this Saturday lunchtime. As we had a long way to travel still, we didn’t stay long, continuing on towards Stonehaven.
Catterline Bay
The almost perfect arc of Catterline Bay, with Todd Head Lighthouse peeking over the headland in the far distance.
Scurdie Ness
Just past Montrose we parked up at Ferryden, then walked along the South Esk River to the old nautical navigation beacons.Then around the corner we arrived at Scurdie Ness Lighthouse.As we walked along we were followed by a pod of dolphins playing in the South Esk.They seemed to be having great fun.
Arbroath
Checking out the remains of Arbroath Abbey. We’ve really had our fair share of castle, cathedral and abbey remains along this trip 😉Arbroath Signal Tower Museum on the sea front.
Dundee
The McManus, Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum.A cartoonish character in a funny hat, and Desperate Dan.
St Andrews
The evening light on St Andrews’ Castle (yes, another ruin).As it was late in the day, the castle was now closed, so we wandered around the outside of the castle and the charming St Andrew’s lanes.All was quiet, now that most of the tourists had left for the day.A typical stone cottage on the way back to our car. Next stop Glenrothes for the night.
The weather was superb for day twenty-seven of our trip, what a difference a bit of blue sky and sunshine makes (especially for the pictures). We made full use of our Historic Scotland membership today too, saving quite some cash on the three of their properties we visited.
Photo of the day
Rolling fields of golden wheat in the late afternoon Scottish sunlight.
Elgin Cathedral
Our first Historic Scotland visit of the day at the 12th century Elgin Cathedral. Some great exhibitions in the towers, quite a labyrinth of passageways up steep stone stairs.
Spynie Palace
Looking down on part of the remains from the lookout at the top of Spynie Palace.
Lossiemouth
Yay, more lighthouses today, starting at Covesea Skerries Lighthouse, just west of Lossiemouth.
Fochabers
Good timing, we were just getting hungry when we spotted Baxters visitors centre on the map!Playing shopkeeper.A mug of Baxters soup for lunch, despite it being a lovely day (not really soup weather really), we had to try the local delicacy.
Findochty
The Mannie statue of a fisherman by Correna Cowie….… keeping careful watch over Findochty Harbour.
Portknockie
Views west over the rugged coastline from Portknockie.Canoeists dwarfed by Bow Fiddle Rock, which looked more like an elephants head if you ask us.
Cullen
Hundreds of seagulls picking between the pebbles on Cullen Beach.
Portsoy
The quiet harbour at Portsoy, apparently often used for filming and commercials.A jumping dolphin sculpture by the artist Carn Standing in the harbour.
Duff House
The impressive Duff House at Banff. Again we seemed to pick a good time to visit. We were the only visitors this afternoon, so we had the helpful Historic Scotland guides all to ourselves.Just a little taste of the restored interiors. Actually there was a fab Picasso on display (Les Soles, 1940), but sadly no pictures allowed (other than personal use), so Google it 😉
Silverford
The views over the golden fields near Silverford (along the B9031), breathtaking in the late afternoon sunlight.So we ended up taking just a ‘few’ pictures, here are a selection…The locales enjoying the fresh hay bales.And a solitary wind turbine, nature and technology in harmony.
Crovie
The tiny fishing village of Crovie clinging to the waters edge. No space for cars, just a small access path along the front.
Pennan
Then just a little further along at Pennan, we could make it down the tiny coastal lane into the village, just.No back gardens, so everything happens on the seafront…...including hanging out the washing.The phone box made famous by the film ‘Local Hero’ (staring Burt Lancaster), actually we haven’t seen the film.. but will do now.
Mounthooly Doocot
Another dove house, we seem to be making a habit of this.
Fraserburgh
Two lighthouses at Fraserburgh’s Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, one old and one new.And a collection of disused brightly painted Buoys.
Rattray Head
Our final stop of the day, as we tried to get closer to Rattray Head to view the lighthouse. However, the track became increasingly narrow and bumpy and we weren’t sure if we were now on someone’s private drive. So we took some photos, somehow managed a U turn in the tightest of spaces, then continued our drive down to Aberdeen.
