We set off, crossed the Firth of Forth Bridge to Fife, passing through pastoral landscapes (look at the size of this heart-shaped strawberry from a local farm) for the township of St Andrew’s. The Women’s Open is currently playing here so access to the Golf Course was limited, but I did manage a few photos. The beach here is where the opening scene from the movie “Chariots of Fire” was filmed.
Onward to Dundee, but first to visit Glamis Castle, former home of the Bowes Lyon family and the Queen Mother. Parts of it are still occupied so we only saw some of the beautifully presented rooms. There were some Hairy Cows grazing in the surrounding fields.
Dundee is on the Tay River and has a maritime history. Once famous for the 3 J’s - Jute factories (for sack making), Jam (marmalade, which is still a local industry) and Journalism or publishing (now in decline with on line newspapers etc). We had a passionate guide describe early days of Dundee, then take us through the dry docked ship “Discovery”, which was purpose built in Dundee as a whaling ship but used to take Robert Falcon Scott to Antarctica in 1901. The ship is undergoing restoration work to restore it to its former glory. So I can now say I have been on 2 ships which sailed to Antarctica.
Friday - On the move again, northwards to Pitlochry, a pretty town which became a popular tourist destination after Queen Victoria stayed here way back. Then to Aviemore, set in the Cairngorms National Park, with many “Monros” or mountains over 3000ft. We have reached the Highlands now and this area is very much outdoors central, with hiking, canoeing, camping etc. To our surprise it appears we have arrived in town coinciding with the annual Thunder in the Glens event - a Harley Davidson aficionado gathering which now attracts over 10,000 visitors and been described as the best run HOG in Europe. Well they were everywhere! Next stop Culloden and the Visitor Centre and Battlefield. Without boring you, the history: in 1746 Jacobite (Bonnie Prince Charlie) Supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British throne, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. The British defeated the Scottish. We could go onto the battlefield site and see the Cairns marking the various Clans who lost over 1500 men,
We then arrived in Inverness on the banks of the Ness River, for one night.
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