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Balmoral, Kildrummy & Glenbuchat Castles + Moulin PubMay 31, 2007
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| Most of the info from this day comes from Sheri's diary with my embelishments as usual. I'll skip all the great things she constantly writes about me for the sake of space. We head off on a great Spring morning to the Summer residence of the royal family Balmoral Castle. The ride like most carnival rides leaves my stomach turning after we stop. This has everything to do with the fact they let a herd of sheep design the roads and as twists and turs go up and down for hours I don't do well. So after the wagon pulled by a tractor brings us from the ticket center to the start of the audio tour I head for the snack bar for a cup of tea and a scone. That did the trick and I am better. Sheri and I head around the Castle grounds with our handsets giving us the facts and details of this grand retreat. We learn of the building, the time it took to build, the folks who care for the grounds and the ones who care for the herds that are about for hunting. Inside we learn about the many details and pride the staff has in keeping this a beloved and favorite place for the family to spend their late Summer. Not all the guests enjoy themselves as they related a story of a guest who complained about being brought up to the edge of nowhere as the cold and bordom streached this man beyond his ability. The only room open was a grand hall where they hold dinner/dance functions and where a lot of exhibits displayed artifacts and video of the functions. Looks like great fun to be a royal. The gardens here were also very nice. At the end of a large lawn was a greenhouse that had the same inscription in the glass as in the Stranraer park which read one is nearer God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth. We walked the grounds looking at the trees from around the world and ended with a look at local paintings kept in the stable area. Next stop was Kildrummy Castle which was mostly just the lower part of the foundation except for the back and a chapel wall with the large window openings still intact. Built in the 1200's it was at a time the family home of Robert the Bruce. We took some pictures together and talked a while to the woman who sells tickets and gift shop items. I call her loud Mary cause she started loud and a couple of times I thought she was screaming. It made me lol. Driving through the countryside we saw a farmer hearding sheep with 2 dogs and a 4-wheeler. We did stop to take pics of Highland cattle and sheep as we made our way to Glenbuchat Castle. This was a real favorite of Sheri's because it was fully intact, and we walked around the multi levels by ourselves. It had a large walk in fireplace. After Andy scared Barb you could hear her scream throughout. Great views of the lush countryside from this hilltop Castle. Next was the Tomnaverie Stone Circle a recumbent stone circle about 4000 years old(guess) used to plot or tracl celestial movement. Interesting and historical but we are getting hrngry and it is decided to head to Pitlochry to eat at the Moulin Pub ranked #1 in 2006. Though only a few years old it had the flaver of a well established pub and they did have a place up that said nothing happened here. This was fine by us cause all we wanted was ale and pub food. It was very good. We ate in the pub side and I got to sit next to a dog for a bit which gave it a home feel. Prior to coming in I talked to lindsey and found out that the head gasket had gone on the van. This was the third issue she has had with the van since she took it back to Fla. Perhaps the van does not like the heat. It was good that Sheri's parents were around to spot her the repair money. Good sleep on pub food and ale. |
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