Two Castles

J and I continued our tour of Scottish Castles today.  This was our longest trip so far; we went up to Braemar and Balmoral.

Of course today was gorgeous weatherwise, and the scenery going through the Cairngorms on A93 was sensational.  This was once we had managed to convince the Satnav that we didn’t want to go through Dundee  which seems to act as a kind of magnet for it.

First we went to Balmoral.  A beautiful castle.

The gardens were absolutely stunning – I have seen none more beautiful in either UK or my travels abroad.

Everything was immaculate and perfect, beautifully presented and obviously has had a vast amount of money spent on it.  But you don’t get to see inside the house itself unless you pay for a £110 per person guided  tour.  I have to admit that this morning I had been going to succumb but they were sold out – not just today but every single day until the end of their short season.

Then we drove the short distance back to Braemar.  The scenery was just sensational.

Braemar is one of the few community owned castles in Scotland and is very different from the formality and luxury of the Royal Family.

The castle has been used and occupied by many different people over the years.  It was a clan chieftain’s stronghold, a military holding for government forces during the Jacobite Rebellions, and used by a high society lady and fashion plate.  You just wander all around the rooms unmolested, looking at the many fascinating exhibits.  It is like walking into a rather grand but threadbare home that is unchanged since about 1952 – as though the previous occupants might suddenly walk in and surprise you (there is a bell you ring outside the castle to warn off the ghosts).

I liked both of today’s castles – but I did prefer Braemar – it somehow had more soul to it.

We had an interesting but lovely drive back – managing with difficult being redirected via Dundee again.

Another good day.