Rooms with a View

As we prepare to leave Aberdeen we thought it would be appropriate to share the views we have been enjoying for the last two months.

Dunnotar Castle

Only from a castle window can you get a view THIS spectacular!

Freaky light effect in the castle.

The castle on the cliffs.

Stonehaven

On our way to Dunnotar Castle we stopped at Stonehaven a village just south of Aberdeen.  We saw this hardy soul in the bay and then were very impressed to see him actually catch a wave, it was a very cold day.

Arthur's Seat and views of Edinburgh

Another canon.

Steph and Peter kindly took us on a drive to Arthur's Seat and to a vantage point overlooking the city of Edinburgh.  We then had a great afternoon tea in the cafe under the art gallery and saw the outdoor skating rink being set up for the Christmas season.

The Holy Island and Lindisfarne

The road to the Holy Island that is totally impassable at high tide.

I know I have a thing for stained glass windows.

Inside the church at Lindisfarne.

The old priory, first set up in the 7th century.

More of the priory.

A boat shed, literally.

The fortress on the Holy Island.  Seth didn't join us for this adventure into history across the Scottish border into England.  Instead he went to the local swimming pool at Dunbar that featured a waterslide and wave machine, can't think why.

Rugby

Da Boys

Richard with the crowd in the background.

Jenny keeping warm with a beanie under her hoodie.

Yes we were there to see Scotland beat the Wallabies for the first time in 27 years, typical.

The fireworks were good though.

The magic moment was when the crowd spontaneously burst into song during the game.  The low point, besides the loss, was when the crowd sang "and I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more etc." at the end of the match.

The Elephant House

We returned to Edinburgh to visit our friends Steph, Peter and Fionn.  On the way we stumbled upon The Elephant House which is a cafe where J. K. Rowling wrote much of her Harry Potter books.  We ate soups, burgers and pizza there.

Findhorn on the way back.

We dropped in at Findhorn on the way back to Aberdeen hoping to spy some society dropouts.  We visited the original centre that now resembles a caravan park with spiritual and artistic add-ons.  We passed the "Retreat for Healing and Universal Compassion" and took these photos of the beach.

Scattered Image of Skye

There were waterfalls and cascades everywhere but this was the most stunning.  In the background is kilt rock, so named because it resembles the folds of a kilt.  Try double-clicking on the image if you want a closer look.

Coastal cliffs and a boatshed.

More cliffs.

Old Man of Storr on Skye

On the walk to the Old Man of Storr we passed through dark forests filled with moss covered trees like these.
The view from the top, or pretty near the top anyway.
More views from near the top of Old Man Storr looking back over the pine forest we walked through.

The Old Man of Storr peaks.

In the pine forest.

Part of the track through the forest, very soon after this Seth stepped in mud right up to his ankle, it made his day - seriously!

Quiraing on Skye

We drove and walked up into the Quiraing on Skye, Richard walked much higher than Seth and Jenny, braving wind and rain to do so.

Urquhart Castle

On the road between Loch Ness and Skye we saw snow on the mountain peaks

We visited Urquhart Castle on the shore of Loch Ness.

At the castle there was a large trebuchet, or catapult, more weaponry for Seth to admire.

Loch Ness

What is that in the water behind us on the left?

Loch Nes is very big and on the day we visited it was suitable grey and mysterious.