The “Castles you can’t go into because really rich people still live in them” edition.

The first 3 are Balmoral.  This is where Queen Elizabeth II summers.

The second 3 are Fyvie.  Actually, you can tour Fyvie, but it’s only open Tuesdays, Thursdays and every eighth Wednesday from 12pm till 4pm and then only when it’s sunny.  Actually, don’t quote me on that.  The “hours” listing was a wee bit complicated.  Whenever you’re allowed in it wasn’t when we were there, so we took pictures and stole a pink rock.  Fuck you, too, Fyvie!  My kid’s keeping the rock.

Scotland picspam: the personal side of things

So this will be a bit different, because it’s got some commentary.

This is the house both my mother and my grandmother grew up in.

This is the distillery owned by my great grandfather’s family (we’re Grants) and where my grandfather worked.

This is the church my grandparents got married in.

And this is the hospital my mother was born in.  This is Grantown-on-Spey.

The freakiest bit about this wasn’t the 3000+ year old stones, or even the fog.  It was the cows.  Evil cows.

Aberdeen, the grey city.

Aberdeen, the boat edition.  Those first 2 are the view out our flat window.  And those chains are boat anchors!

Dunnottar.  There aren’t words to describe the beauty of this place.  Easily one of my favourite castles.

St. Andrews.  This, incidentally, is the town where the future king of England, Prince William, met Kate Middleton, ensuring yet another generation of royal babies.  I cared not a whit for the shops/posh accommodations/golf courses, so all my pics are of the cathedral/sea.

Abbey Ruins: Melrose, Dryburgh and Jedburgh (in order, 2 each).

Edinburgh part 2: Old City and Grassmarket

Tomorrow: Edinburgh Castle and Southern Abbeys/Roslyn

Edinburgh part 1: New City