Day 27 – Elgin to Aberdeen

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

Coastal Road Trip, Silverford, Fields, Corn fields, Golden, Sea
Rolling fields of golden wheat in the late afternoon Scottish sunlight.

 

Elgin Cathedral

Coastal Road Trip, Elgin Cathedral, Historic Scotland
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

Coastal Road Trip, Spynie Palace, Historic Scotland
Looking down on part of the remains from the lookout at the top of Spynie Palace.

 

Lossiemouth

Coastal Road Trip, Lossiemouth, Covesea Skerries Lighthouse
Yay, more lighthouses today, starting at Covesea Skerries Lighthouse, just west of Lossiemouth.

 

Fochabers

Coastal Road Trip, Fochabers, Baxters, Soup, Factory
Good timing, we were just getting hungry when we spotted Baxters visitors centre on the map!
Coastal Road Trip, Fochabers, Baxters, Shop, Julian
Playing shopkeeper.
Coastal Road Trip, Fochabers, Baxters, Soup, Sandwich, Lunch
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

Coastal Road Trip, Findochty, Harbour, Statue, Correna Cowie, The Mannie, These see the works of the lord and his wonders in the deep, psalm 107
The Mannie statue of a fisherman by Correna Cowie….
Coastal Road Trip, Findochty, Harbour, Statue, Correna Cowie, The Mannie, Sunstar, These see the works of the lord and his wonders in the deep, psalm 107
… keeping careful watch over Findochty Harbour.

 

Portknockie

Coastal Road Trip Portknockie, West view
Views west over the rugged coastline from Portknockie.
Coastal Road Trip Portknockie, Bow Fiddle Rock, Canoe
Canoeists dwarfed by Bow Fiddle Rock, which looked more like an elephants head if you ask us.

 

Cullen

Coastal Road Trip, Cullen, Bay, Beach, Seagulls
Hundreds of seagulls picking between the pebbles on Cullen Beach.

 

Portsoy

Coastal Road Trip, Portsoy, Harbour, Lifesaver
The quiet harbour at Portsoy, apparently often used for filming and commercials.
Coastal Road Trip, Portsoy, Harbour, Jumping Dolphin, Statue, Sculpture, Carn Standing
A jumping dolphin sculpture by the artist Carn Standing in the harbour.

 

Duff House

Coastal Road Trip, Banff, Duff House, Historic Scotland, Julian, Jarno
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.
Coastal Road Trip, Banff, Duff House, Historic Scotland, Chandelier
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

Coastal Road Trip, Silverford, Fields, Corn fields, Golden, Sea
The views over the golden fields near Silverford (along the B9031), breathtaking in the late afternoon sunlight.
Coastal Road Trip, Silverford, Fields, Corn fields, Golden, Sea
So we ended up taking just a ‘few’ pictures, here are a selection…
Coastal Road Trip, Silverford, Fields, Hey Bales, Golden, Birds
The locales enjoying the fresh hay bales.
Coastal Road Trip, Silverford, Fields, Corn Fields, Golden, Wind Turbine
And a solitary wind turbine, nature and technology in harmony.

 

Crovie

Coastal Road Trip, Crovie, Viewpoint, Fishing village
The tiny fishing village of Crovie clinging to the waters edge.  No space for cars, just a small access path along the front.

 

Pennan

Coastal Road Trip, Pennan, Fishing village, Panoramic
Then just a little further along at Pennan, we could make it down the tiny coastal lane into the village, just.
Coastal Road Trip, Pennan, Fishing village, Table, Chairs
No back gardens, so everything happens on the seafront….
Coastal Road Trip, Pennan, Washing Line
..including hanging out the washing.
Coastal Road Trip, Pennan, Red, Phone Box, Local Hero, Ferness, Film, Julian
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
Coastal Road Trip, Mounthooly Doocot
Another dove house, we seem to be making a habit of this.

 

Fraserburgh

Coastal Road Trip, Fraserburgh, Museum of Scottish Lighthouses,
Two lighthouses at Fraserburgh’s Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, one old and one new.
Coastal Road Trip, Fraserburgh, Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Buoy Park, Red Buoy
And a collection of disused brightly painted Buoys.

 

Rattray Head

Coastal Road Trip, Rattray Head, Lighthouse
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.

 

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