North of Gairloch, we took the Coastal Road to Inverewe Gardens. We passed this beautiful scene next to the highway, where there were a number of campers.

Inverewe Gardens are located in a protected area of the north-west coast. The temperatures do not get too cold and there is plenty of precipitation (this was our our rainiest day). As a result, just about anything can grow here and does. Vegetable and other plant species from all over the world can be found.

 

We stayed at a beautiful B&B in Nairn run by a retirement couple. Across from there home is the beach on the Moray Firth.

From there, we went on the "Whisky Tour". This is the Speyside Couperage, which makes and restores barrels for the distilleries in the area. The Scotch industry does not use new barrels, but rather repaired barrels that have been used for other spirits first. This adds to the taste of the scotch.

We visited the Glenfiddich distillery and took a tour. For those of you who are interested, the "ch" at the end of Glenfiddich has the same sound as in "Chabad".

 

Pictured here is the top of the stills where the malt liquid is distilled. Notice how clean the area is. At the end of the tour, samples were provided. Their scotch was also for sale, but turned out to be more expensive than it is at home.

We visited Loch Ness, but saw no monster. There is a visitor centre some distance along the lake, but they charge a lot to get in and I feel is a waste of time.

Next we went on the "Castle Trail", which leads to many of the castles, some in ruins, some not. This is Huntley Castle.

 

This is Corgarff Castle, in the north-east. It is not really a castle, but a building used by the Jacobites as supply storage for powder, muskets and ammunition. It was later retaken for the government and eventually turned into a garrison outpost. What is really interesting here is the terrain. It is very hilly and while it looks like the road leading to Corgarff is going down, it is really a steep climb. Also if you expand the photo, you will notice hundreds of little white dots everywhere, which are actually sheep.

Red Castle is a brooding ruin on a hill overlooking the sands of the beach at Lunan. It is a former Royal pleasure palace and now serves only as a place to indulge in some birdwatching.

 

Looking toward the beach, are some lazy fields and farmed land.

Looking away from the beach, at the Red Castle, we see a picturesque farming scene.

This is Arbroath Cathedrale. The size of the main area must have been huge. You can still see the supports for the columns that held up the roof.

 

We visited the famous Carnoustie golf course, where every now and then, the British Open is played. This is the view looking out toward the beach from the course. You can walk on the course and I even went down into one of their deep pot bunkers (I managed to get out).

Culross, located north-west of Edinburgh, is a lovely little village, well worth visiting.

 

 

The One PM Canon Fire at Edinburgh Castle sounds off every day. The signal to fire comes from the Edinburgh Ball Tower, some distance off - just like New Year's Eve in Times Square.

We climbed up Arthur's Seat, which overlooks Edinburgh and provides a wonderful view.

The Grass Market is a famous area where the public hangings used to take place. Those with homes with a view would sell space at their windows to anyone willing to pay. The area is now home to shops and restaurants.

 

Dirleton Castle, south-east of Edinburgh, is another of those old castles left in ruins.

There is also a Dovecot at Dirleton Castle. This is a domed building with nesting areas inside for pigeons. These were harvested for food in the winter.

Tantallon Castle, also south-east of Edinburgh, is right by the sea. It had a fantastically eery mist blowing in, like you might find in a horror film.

 

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