Visiting Aberdeenshire

Home to Scotland’s castle trail, a dramatic coastline, industrial fishing harbours and a granite city, visiting Aberdeenshire is something we were looking forward to doing. We decided to make a weekend of it and tick a few more things off our Forty Things at 40 list.

There is SO much to see and do on the much neglected east coast of Scotland but here are a few of my suggestions:

Dunnottar Castle

When in castle country I think it only fair that you see at least one medieval fortress. Dunnottar castle has been on our list of places to visit ever since we moved to Scotland (nearly two years ago) and of course, I have seen possibly thousands of images of the castle on the hill but nothing prepares you for the real thing.

Once we caught our breath from going down and up the steps to the castle we spent about two hours wander around. It’s far larger than I was expecting and many of the buildings are still in really good condition.

As we made our own way around the castle grounds we had glimpses of the dramatic Aberdeenshire coatline, through windows and over walls. But most of the time we had forgotten we were perched on a rock that was forced the to earth’s surface around 440 million years ago! Mind blowing.

Mary Queens of Scots and William Wallace had both visited Dunnottar but the castle was also home to the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) in 1651-1652. With thanks to a small garrison of men who held Oliver Cromwell and his cronies (not a technical historical term) at bay for eight months and prevented the destruction of the Honours. They can now be seen at Edinburgh castle.

On the day of our visit the weather was kind to us; moody clouds and some sunshine. But I can imagine that in winter or a stormy day this can feel like the end of the world. On that note if you are planning a visit to Dunnottar the best thing to do is check on their website to see if they are open. Because of it’s location if the wind is high or there is mist then you won’t be able to get across. If you are able to get up and down the 266 steps (each way) I do recommend that you go over, it really is a special from the inside as it is from the outside.

There is a small car park to use but at weekends in peak season you may end up parking on the side of the road. Alternatively there is a coastal walk from Stonehaven to the castle and you could catch the land train back! No inside tea rooms but there is a catering van which provides hot and cold drinks, burgers and bacon butties.

Gordon Highlanders Museum

Okay, so with this one I’m not going to lie, I haven’t actually been into the museum properly to experience it. I was there with work for one day back in August and was made to feel really welcome and after speaking to some of the volunteers and members of staff I could feel their passion for the museum. With many different family orientated events planned throughout the year it is also a fabulous way of engaging with the local younger community and their families. Activities such as trench building (in a shoe box), fundraising quiz nights and ceilidhs too.

With one hundred and thirteen years of history packed into the former (and expanded) Scottish artist’s home of Sir George Reid, the museum has a wealth of knowledge and stories from volunteers who have some connection with the regiment.

Well worth a visit and they do a nice little coffee shop which serves lunch, drinks and some really lovely cake.

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

This is a cracking place to visit for adults and children alike. Very interactive and engaging for all ages.

The three levels within the museum tell the history and relationship between Aberdeen and the sea; fishing, oil and shipping. Warts an’ all.

We tried our hand at being an ROV (Remotely Operate Vehicle) pilots on the simulator – lets just say we won’t be giving up our day jobs any time soon! It’s WAY more difficult than it looks to guide them around, goodness only knows what it would be like with a tide and in the dark!

There is no denying the hard graft that went into (and still goes into) the fishing industry. Tales of how women followed the fleet of fishing boats and travelled to find work as skilled fish gutters, and how men lost their lives in rough seas, were all hard to read.

The star of the show was a scale model of an oil rig that towered up through a central atrium from the ground floor up to the third floor. Minute detail of machinery, equipment, helicopters and of course the men and women who work on board.

We really enjoyed our visit here, learning about the Granite City’s connection with the sea and it’s use of the habour. It is free to enter but donations can be made. Just a short walk from the city centre and Union Street it really is worth a visit.

Peterhead Prison Museum

Some of you may already know that I used to work for the Police in a custody block and have many a tale to tell about dealing prisoners/detainees, but nothing on the scale of Peterhead Prison Museum.

This is definitely one of my most favourite visitor attractions, for several reasons. Firstly the tour is a self guided audio tour and for me I like this because I retain more of the information given. Much better than having to read lots of information boards especially if it is busy. Wandering around the actual cells that people lived in for many years after committing serious crimes made the hairs stand up on my arms a couple of times.

Secondly, it is very well restored and the added bonus of being able to speak to one of the old prison officers. Not just any prison officer though, Jackie Stuart. He was held hostage during the 1987 riots which resulted in him being taken up onto the roof of one of the prison blocks with a chain around his neck! Safely saved by the SAS and now lives to tell the tale. Jackie, now in his eighties, will happily tell stories of his life as a prison officer and it really is an honour to have spoken with him.

Thirdly, the fact that this was the ACTUAL prison, where ACTUAL men were kept under lock and key for some heinous crimes. You couldn’t replicate this by building it now, you wouldn’t get the atmosphere or have that feel of history.

One place that did totally give me the heeby-jeebies was the silent cell. Outwith of the main block there is a single cell and there is nothing in there. The door is so thick but just to make sure no sound from the outside world can be heard, there is a second door. This absolutely made my blood run cold and I couldn’t even step through the door.

On a lighter note, all of the staff and volunteers are amazing, Full of enthusiasm, knowledge and a passion of the new life that the old HMP has been given. There are still lots of plans to add to the museum and plenty of events. For those brave enough there is a Halloween event….. rather you than me!

There is a large car park and at the end of the tour you get to the tea rooms and they serve sandwiches and hot and cold drinks.

Refueling

With all our walking, exploring and photographing we stopped off for drinks and food in various places. Here are some of them:

Castleton Farm Shop – Just a few miles south of Stonehaven on the A90. I have stopped here on several occasions and they do fabulous food, hot and cold drinks and the cake. Well the cake is to die for. All homemade and the stuff Instagram profiles are made for. My favourite meal here has to have been the goats cheese salad.

Molly’s Cafe Bar – On the sea front in Stonehaven and not far from the lido. An extensive menu but THE most incredible milkshakes!

Monsoona – Just off of Union Street in Aberdeen city centre we had a lovely curry, selection of side dishes and pickles. Really tasty and reasonably priced too. The Dude makes a cracking curry at home and so I am quite fussy about my favourite spiced food but this was super tasty.

All in all we thoroughly enjoyed our weekend visiting Aberdeenshire and we shall definitely be back as there are plenty of beaches, castles and coastal walks to be done. I would say that even if you think Scotland’s east coast isn’t for you, you should still give it a try. You might surprise yourself.

Share your photos with me over on Twitter.

Great Scottish Swim

As a blogger and a VisitScotland Ambassador I am very fortunate to be involved in some rather cool events and get to visit some really spectacular places but this event could have taken a rather different turn if I hadn’t noticed something strange. I won’t lie to you, I had a bit of a shock recently regarding blogging for the Great Scottish Swim event held at Loch Lomond last weekend. It seems I had inadvertently signed myself up for actually doing an open water swim!

The penny dropped when emails reading “just let us know which length you would like to swim,” came through. Of course I read it, and re-read it. Yup I had signed myself up to the event rather than photographing and blogging about it. *Insert swear words*

In short, I didn’t swim. There are no photos of me looking like a seal nor did I have to nearly drown all for the love of my blog. In all seriousness I have some health reasons for not being able to take part (and the fact that it slightly freaks me out). I did however, travel across to the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond last Saturday morning and here’s what went down:

The day was split up into different length of swims varying from half a mile to 10k and it all kicked of just after 8am when most folk were still in bed and the mist lay low on the loch.

Each “wave” of swimmers could take a few minutes to acclimatise in the shallow water by doing a few lengths of the start line and then returned to dry land to do a group warm up. The start of each distance category started with the same ritual, including some talk of having a wee in your wet suit! It had been mentioned that the loch water was a balmy 16° and someone had described it as a very “Scottish 16°“.

Sadly the view of the course is rather limited and it was fairly impossible to keep track on watching a loved one who was in the water anyway, what with everyone wearing the same coloured swim cap and a mostly black wet suit.

For those with a longer wait you could take advantage of the swim village and all its stalls or take the short walk over to Lomond Shores with all it’s shops and places to eat. Then back to the finish line to cheer everyone on.

What I love about sport is that people of all shapes, sizes and ages can get involved, and this was true for this event too. Of course there were the square shouldered, muscular swimmer types. There were teenagers, there were first timers in their 40’s and then there was Naomi, an 81 year old lady who completed her 2mile swim. What a legend!

There were people with heart warming stories of recovering from illnesses such as cancer or doing it to raise money in memory of a lost loved one. The motivation is incredible. Of course there are people who do it for fun and to keep fit but I did speak to one lady who did say swimming helped her lose three stone in weight and gave her the confidence to be out in public in a wet suit. And lets be honest that takes balls because there is absolutely nowhere to hide all your lumps and bumps in one of those things! I take my hat off to her.

A different lady that I got talking with has been enjoying Scotland’s open water opportunities for many years and loves the companionship she gets from being part of a club along with seeing the lochs from a special viewpoint.

The finish line was full of elation, relief, smiles and tears and it was lovely to witness some great support for the athletes and the event. There was also a rather cute and unofficial entry by a random dog who appeared from nowhere and joined swimmers coming down the finishing straight, taking some people by surprise!

In true Scottish weather style the day was a mixed bag – the dramatic mist I mentioned at the start of this post, the short but heavy rain shower and then glorious sunshine and blue sky. A standard day out in Scotland.

I am pleased I had the opportunity to attend this event and see it first hand but I don’t think I will be signing up to do it anytime soon. The Great Scottish Swim event was a top day out, heartwarming and inspiring. If you would like to share your open water swimming experiences or tales from the event then please join me over on the VisitScotland iKnow Community.

**I must point out that ALL participants were wearing a wetsuit and were competent swimmers. There were safety marshals all around the course too. If open water swimming is something you think you would like to try please don’t try it alone the shock of the water temperature can cause cramps and can lead into difficulties. Get yourself to a local club or with someone who has experience. Lecture over**

Wanderlust and it’s impact on Scotland

When I started this blog back in 2015 the idea was for it to be a showcase or online diary of our new lives in Scotland. Finding new walks, places to eat, wildlife encounters, events and other excitement all documented and photographed. Since then this place I now call home means so much more to me and afterall one of the reasons we moved here was because of the natural beauty and what it has to offer. But more recently I have been struggling with the thought of how much damage is caused by our wanderlust and it’s impact on Scotland (and across the world).

You only have to look on Instagram to see beautiful images of turquoise clear water, empty white beaches and it’s all geo-tagged. So we all decide we are going to invade said empty white beaches, leave our left over sandwich wrappers and drop a plastic bottle and then it’s gone. Forever.

Another example that I can think of (and this rather makes my blood boil) are the deer at the Kings Hotel in Glen Coe. Wild animals that have come to learn that if they hang around for a few photos with tourists the chances of being fed are quite high. I have been one of said tourists who have stopped off here, although primarily for photos of Buachaille etive mor, and witnessed people feeding these elegant beasts digestive biscuits! You know, the ones we dunk in our coffee and that are full of sugar. I’m not just talking about one or two that are left over but a whole packet that they had brought specifically for the deer. C’mon people!

It is amazing to have such an encounter with these deer but we really do need to think about the implications of our actions.

Of course there is a certain scene from the James Bond film, Skyfall that everyone wishes to replicate too. Except now it’s not quiet and somewhere you can be alone with your thoughts, it’s full of cars and people wanting to get “the” photo. Then what to do? It’s a single track road with passing places where people are parked so you can’t pull in or turn around. So you pull up onto the grass verge after it’s been raining for three days and don’t think anymore of it. When you pull away you have to give it a bit of welly because it’s greasy and you’ve no traction and this results in tearing up the grass and and moss etc.

I am not entirely clued up on the full impact of tourism and social media and its affects but it is certainly something I will be researching and taking more seriously. I do know that these are not isolated incidents or places where such things happen but are ones I have witnessed first hand (and no I didn’t go down to get the Skyfall photo). The affect from so many people driving and parking where they like or leaving litter, lighting fires etc does take its toll on the environment and wildlife.

I didn’t want to turn this post into a rant (although it sort of has), more an education, or an eye opener (to some, not everyone). Also taking the chance to say that from now on in if I write about a hidden gem I have stumbled across then I might not geo-tag it on Instagram or name drop in my blog. I will, however be more general with my location, otherwise I think I may struggle to call myself a travel blogger, and share it’s beauty through my photographs.

So, from here my plan is to continue inspiring, reviewing and promoting this stunning, friendly and vibrant country just with less social media geo-tags. I am also hoping to cover more local Perth based attractions and events, so do follow my tales.

Scotland is here to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, lets keep it a place that people want to keep coming back to explore but maybe let them stumble upon their own wee gem. Lets not let our wanderlust ruin such beauty. Please do go and enjoy the great outdoors, views and make your own moments but be mindful of there reason you visited in the first place.

Scottish Game Fair

For the past twenty eight years the Scottish Game Fair has welcomed visitors from far and wide, and this, it’s twenty ninth year is really no different. If you are local or stayed locally yesterday, you will know all about the amount of rain we had but this didn’t seem to put anyone off. Today was a parade of wellies, boots and sturdy shoes for all ages but not an umbrella or poncho in sight.

I know some of you will be thinking you don’t see what all the fuss is about? Maybe not understand why folk may travel down from Orkney, or up from Northampton? You might not go shooting, or own a rescue mongrel, let alone a pedigree gun dog. You may however have an interest in nature, livestock, food, outdoor activities such as fishing or want to try something new, like archery or clay pigeon shooting. And all these things, plus a whole lot more are available to learn, try and sample over the three day event.

Today I have been down to the Game Fair to suss out what exactly is on offer for those looking for something different at this event:

Food Hall

I am starting with one of my priority stops, the food hall. Always popular because of the free samples and tempt us to get our purses and wallets out. I found some amazing Scottish products, including black pudding scotch eggs, garlic mayo, lobsters, fresh bread, gin and sausages in more varieties that I realised possible! So many of the food suppliers were within an hours drive of Perth too, that is something to be proud about.

If, like me, you struggle for new things to cook then the Cookery Theatre is the perfect place to pick up some tips and recipe inspiration. Demonstrations running all through the weekend, there is bound to be something that tickles your taste buds.

Have a Go

Since the London 2012 Olympic Games I have been banging on about having a go at archery. Five years later I manage to tick it off my to do list because I got the opportunity today at the Scottish Game Fair. For just a small fee I shot my first six arrows and on my last arrow…. Well lets just say, there’s room for improvement. But now I have the taste for it I will definitely have a proper lesson. There was also a climbing wall for children too.

If you have the reactions of a cat and good eyesight maybe clay pigeon shooting could be your thing. With expert supervision, guidance and some ear defenders you can have a go at this sport too. let me know how you get on!

Main Arena Demonstrations

A full itinerary for each day in the main arena, with a great variety of displays: terrier racing, birds of prey display, gun dog demonstration and my favourite from today the Clywd Axemen. Showing amazing skill, strength and precision with axes and chainsaws.

The Fife Foxhounds came into the ring and totally owned it! Members of the audience/public were then given the chance to get up close and personal with these hounds. They proved very popular with the children. I can see why. I remember as a child having many similar encounters with hounds and it always stuck in my mind that they are rather cheeky but great fun. Just watch out for the wet kisses!

Get Involved

I also found in the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust marquee that children could do some clay modelling (and there were also workshops twice a day), make wee beasties from card and other craft materials too. What a brilliant way for children to learn, without realising it too. It is also here that they have a bee hive to see into and watch something that otherwise is normally hidden away. I learnt about the life cycle of a bee and how important bees are to us.

I also spotted some children having their faces painted too. Very cute.

There are big boys toys there too: machinery, fancy cars, 4×4’s and plenty of shopping opportunities if you need a new pair of wellies or a wax hat (ready for the next rain storm).

I really had a lot of fun today. I blethered to lots of people from all over and all with different reasons for visiting the Scottish Game Fair but all with one thing in common. They enjoy the variety of quality exhibitors, demonstrations, competitions and good atmosphere throughout the weekend event. Don’t be put off by the sea of tweed, expensive boots and 4×4’s, it really is a fabulous day out.

If you visit this weekend for the first time please do let me know what you think, either in the comments below or on Twitter.

Craigleith & Bass Rock Trip

At this time of year the Firth of Forth is teaming with wildlife – seals, razor bills, guillemots, cormorants, gannets and of course the cute puffins. I only have to scroll through my Instagram feed to see these cheeky wee birds on every other photo (not complaining!). So when we were invited by the Scottish Seabird Centre to go out to the islands of both Craigleith and Bass Rock trip on a catamaran, of course, we jumped at the chance.

When we arrived in North Berwick it was a bit grey and the air was damp but as the age old saying goes “if you don’t like the Scottish weather wait half an hour and it will change,” and it did. Glorious sunshine followed and it was just perfect in time for our 2pm sailing.

All fifty five of the catamaran’s seats were taken with visitors wanting to see the spectacle of nature out in the firth. Armed with cameras of all shapes and sizes and binoculars, we set off. The journey is an hour and it’s not long before we had our first sightings of guillemots and gulls out on the water. The skipper took us around the island of Craigleith and the guide told us all about the history and points out the various birds on the cliffs and in the water. It’s always good to have an extra pair of eyes (especially when they know what they are on about!).

I was surprised to learn that Craigleith was once the UK’s largest puffin colony and home to over 28,000 back in 1999. Sadly due to an invasive plant called tree mallow taking over and preventing the birds from nesting the numbers were reduced. Since this time teams of volunteers have helped to clear away this rapid growing plant species and allowed for the puffins to reclaim the island, although not to it’s previous quantities. But definitely a move in the right direction.

The water was relatively calm and the catamaran made light work of cutting through any waves as we made our way across to Bass Rock. It wasn’t long before the sky above us was filled with the unmistakable sight of gannets. Their huge wing span with black tips, long necks and distinctive yellow heads makes them easy to spot.

This was our first trip out to Bass Rock and we were not disappointed. We’ve seen photos of it online and looked through our binoculars from the shore and you can just make out the tiny white dots above the island are actually birds but nothing prepares you for this sensory overload as we approached their home.

The sky was filled with birds, like confetti at a wedding. The noise was similar to that of the noisiest pub you’ve ever been in with everyone chattering away and then, of course, the smell. The smell of years worth of bird poo, or guano if I am to give it it’s proper name. It was a bit ripe to say the least but all part of the experience. It is home to approximately 150,000 gannets, making it the world’s largest colony.

Gannets mate for life and each year when they return to Bass Rock they re-affirm their bond with an affectionate kiss or beak rubbing (as seen in the photo below). I guess after the male has been out at sea looking for food they will do this too. No different to us coming home from work and giving the other half a kiss to say hello. They have been known to fish as far away as Norway!

These pretty birds are not the only residents on this volcanic island, shags, guillemots and kittiwakes also make use of the smaller and lower ledges. As our catamaran slowly makes its way around Bass Rock the guide on board points out various species and facts about the birds and island.

Once we have done a circuit around the colony we make our way back to the harbour. As we got further away the iconic image of the white rock got smaller and our hearts fuller for having had this experience.

It’s fair to say we had a fabulous time during our Craigleith and Bass Rock trip and would highly recommend it. We liked the fact there was someone aboard that could answer questions about the birds for us and point things out too. It really is suitable for anyone too. On our trip we had children (aged maybe 5 or 6) and someone also on crutches. The staff did their best to ensure everyone got aboard safely and gave assistance where necessary. It was nice to see the seabirds in their own environment to see how elegant they can be. Certainly made me forget about how intimidating the gulls can be on shore when you are eating your fish and chips!

Just a couple of tips though: even on a sunny day it is advisable to wrap up and maybe wear a hat, it can get rather blustery out on the water. The trips are popular so it’s best to book in advance. And my last tip would be don’t forget to actually look at the birds and away from your camera. I know its good to have good photos but it’s even better to have the whole experience and you wont get that if you are concentrating on something else.

If you would like to win a trip on the Seabird Catamaran Cruise and tickets to the Discovery Centre (for two adults), you can enter using the Rafflecopter below. Please check out the T&C’s before entering. Good luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

We were invited by the Scottish Seabird Centre to take this trip in return for this post and it’s images. All thoughts on Scottish weather and bird poo are my own.

A weekend in Aviemore

I like surprises but I am RUBBISH at keeping quite about it and this one had me fit to burst! As you may know the Dude and I have had a big birthday this year and he surprised me with a trip to Glen Coe back in February (he earned a lot of brownie points for this). And so a couple of weeks ago it was my turn to reciprocate the favour. I chose an area that, so far, had remained unexplored for us, somewhere with a variety of things to do and local pubs so that we could both have a drink to celebrate. I had chosen a weekend in Aviemore.

With just less than a two hour drive ahead of us all I had indicated to the Dude was that we were headed north. He would have easily have guessed this as soon as we got on the A9 anyway. We left on the Friday morning and I had planned one thing for each day – one on the drive up to Aviemore on Friday morning. One on Saturday morning and then one Sunday before heading back home.

Friday

Leaving Perth with a car full of kit – walking boots, hats, waterproofs, maps, walking books, binoculars, cameras, swimming costumes, smart evening clothes and everything else in between. Of course it didn’t take long before the guessing started and it didn’t take long before getting the correct location. But he was unaware that we would be making a stop off at Dalwhinnie distillery, just a few miles off of the A9.

Dalwhinnie sits at 1164 feet above sea level and due to this has an average yearly temperature of just 6°. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

The tours lasts for around 45 minutes and concludes with a tasting of two different whiskies produced on site, one of which is paired with highland chocolate.

Lovely location, informative tour with a small group and good value.

Onward and upward we continued (now with me driving as I hadn’t drank any whisky) up to Aviemore. To be precise we just drove straight through and our second stop was Loch Garten and the RSPB reserve to see the nesting ospreys.

We are members of the RSPB but you can still pay as a one off visitor, a small fee to enter the reserve. With a short walk from the entrance the hide was a hive of activity with people watching the ospreys on the television live camera feeds or through binoculars and scopes. There are plenty of windows, at all heights, many with binos or scopes set up for you to use (great if your don’t have you own with you).

There were a few volunteers available to answer questions about the ospreys, small birds on the feeder and other wildlife that call the reserve home. This is a great idea and its nice to have that interaction and knowledge available.

I’m probably not doing the hide much justice really. It is a large space, with plenty of information to read and boards on the wall with various sightings for the day. A corner with benches where you can sit comfortably to watch the live feeds or listen to the volunteers when there is a talk going on. You are also able to watch the smaller birds, red squirrels and woodpeckers on the feeders too. There is also a small shop where you can buy bird books, greeting cards etc.

We spent about an hour watching and hoping we would see an osprey in flight and sadly this didn’t happen but with the live feed you don’t miss a thing. This year E.J & Odin have a clutch of three eggs & hopefully they will hatch safely.

Then it was time to check in to the Highlands Hotel – MacDonald Aviemore Resort. Its nice and central to everything the town has to offer – cafes, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants, buses and the train station too. Lovely hotel but I plan to talk about it in more detail in a future blog.

Saturday

Up nice and early, but not too early, for another day of surprises. Although, the Dude now admits he suspected the next surprise was on the cards as it has been on my list of things to do since we moved here!

Scotland’s only funicular railway runs up CairnGorm mountain and carries visitors up to (hopefully) enjoy the views from 3500ft above sea level. With trains running up and down the line approximately every twenty minutes and gets you to the top in about eight minutes its easy to see why this is a popular attraction. Making the mountain and its views accessible to everyone.

At the top there is a visitor centre which includes the history of the mountain, a gift shop, coffee shop and restaurant and of course the viewing platform. It also has the highest post box in the British Isles too, how cool is that?

On this occasion, despite it being bitterly cold at the top, with a dusting of snow, our view was clear, we could see for miles. We had taken our own binoculars up with us too. After about ten minutes we were freezing even though we were wrapped up so we went in for coffee and managed to get a window seat to enjoy the view some more. After thawing out we ventured back out to take it all in once more and take a few more photos.

We were sad to see people racing up from the funicular, take a few selfies and then be back on the next train down. Not taking time to enjoy the view, just ticking the box to say they had been there.

We must have spent nearly an hour and a half up there and I imagine if you did it every day it would be something you would never tire of. Truly beautiful and we were very thankful for the clear views.

During this weekend we wanted to get a few smaller walks done and we decided a circular route around Loch Morlich. There are plenty of way-marked paths that vary in length and the one we followed was about 6k and started from the main carpark and went around the loch. A variety of different paths and a short distance on the road too. It wasn’t a particularly long or challenging walk but it was nice to stretch our legs and enjoy the views. We even noticed at one point that CairnGorm mountain summit had been covered in cloud making us feel even luckier to have been up earlier.

Great place for cycling, walking, running, and also kayaking etc on the water. Just a couple of days after our visit here there was snow on the sandy beach here too! Insane.

After all this excitement it was back to the hotel to dump the car and go for beers. We found the Winking Owl which is owned by Cairngorm Brewery, a great opportunity to try out some local beer. Of course this meant staying for more than one because we had to try and decide which ones we like the best.

Sunday

So far my surprises had gone down well and had been easy to keep but this was proving a little bit tricky. “We are going out for lunch and its quite special, but not super dressy” was my hint.

I had booked us in for lunch aboard the Strathspey railway, first class, obviously!

Departing from platform three of the main railway station in Aviemore the Strathspey steam engine is a huge attraction. Suitable for all ages and there are various types of day and evening trips, and dining experiences. All very reasonably priced.

We handed over our tickets at the first class dining carriage and were escorted to our compartment. Just like a scene from Harry Potter but with a table all laid out. Before we had enough left the station our (pre-ordered) drinks were brought to us and also our starter. All food has to be pre-ordered when booking and this allows for a normal service as if in a restaurant on the day.

Once out of Aviemore the scenery opens up to allow views of mountains and fields. There are various places where the engine stops along the line so we could enjoy the views and allowing staff to serve food or clear plates away etc.

This service runs through Boat of Garten up to Broomhill and then returns and takes just under two and a half hours. It really is quite special and very reasonably priced at £102 for the two of us (drinks are paid extra). The cost for a standard return ticket to Boat of Garten is less than £12 for an adult ticket. Well worth doing if you are in the area.

After this highlight it was time to make our way back down the A9 and home. There is still SO much more to explore and a weekend in Aviemore is nowhere near long enough to do it all. A good reason to come back.

Do you have any suggestions for what we can do next time?

Afternoon Tea on the Union Canal

This year both the Dude and I are having “big birthdays,” and to help celebrate this we have made a Forty things at 40 list. Rather than have a party and celebrate on just one night, we decided to make a whole twelve months of it! Talk about dragging it out, I know, but if something is worth doing, its worth doing right. One thing on the list was to go on the Falkirk Wheel and so by a tenuous link we ended up having afternoon tea on the Union Canal.

I recently discovered Re-Union Canal Boats whilst over at the Falkirk Wheel and decided to look them up when I got home. Realising that this project was much more than just taking people on a jolly along the canals (Union, and Forth & Clyde). As a social enterprise the local communities are involved with clean up projects, maintenance and promotion of the canals with community groups and volunteers.

As well as being able to hire the boats out for the day, Re-Union also do Afternoon Tea on selected dates for a very reasonable price of £22.50. Two hours on board and you travel along the canal at a rather leisurely pace.

Afternoon Tea

We arrived at Edinburgh Quay where the Lochrin Belle was moored – the start (or end) of the Union Canal, just a few miles out of the city centre. Once on board we were seated at tables of six. Initially I felt slightly disappointed at being seated with strangers instead of the romantic table for two I had planned, but it turns out that we actually had a great time chatting to our fellow diners.

Once we had set off our tea and coffee were served along with a selection of canapes, rolls, meringues, scones and sponges. With jam, butter and cream options for the scones too. Enough for the whole table to enjoy.

There was no shortage of fresh coffee in our china cups and once the ice was broken with offering the canapes round the table everyone seemed to be having a great time. Admiring the view from our seats or choosing to make our way to the front of the boat for fresh air and a full view ahead.

Once at the end of our outward journey, we were carefully about turned, and made our way from whence we came.

Canal Paths

One thing you do notice whilst being over taken by walkers on the footpath is that the old tow paths are actually really well used by dog walkers, runners, cyclists, families, couples and everyone else in between. A really pleasant place to be.

Sadly, it still seems to be a place to leave rubbish and the volunteers at Re-Union canal boats do what they can to keep the paths, banks and the waterway as clear as they can.

Overall

We thoroughly enjoyed our two hours out on the canal and would highly recommend it. Good value for money and it’s something nice to do with friends or family.

I think, for me, it was slightly overcrowded. There are twenty four places available and four large tables staggered down the boat. Once everyone is seated it is quite difficult to get around (either to the bathroom or to go outside) without disturbing anyone else. If there was just one less table this issue would be solved. It would also mean that on a day not so nice as the one we had people could still stand at the windows and look out. It would also mean that staff could get around when serving hot drinks etc too.

All in all we had a great time having afternoon tea on the Union Canal and would recommend it to anyone who has a special occasion to celebrate or who fancies doing something a bit different without breaking the bank.

And after all that we STILL haven’t made it to the Falkirk Wheel to experience it properly! Do you have any suggestions on what else we could squeeze in to our year of birthday celebrations? Let us know over on Facebook or comment below.

East Neuk Glass

Back in the days of high school, one of my favourite lessons was art and design. Being given a brief or free reign to draw, paint or make something from scratch allowed our young minds to express ourselves and show our personalities. Oh and an excuse to get dirty! Sadly, as we get older, many of us lose touch with this freedom, myself included but our recent weekend course with Keny Drew at East Neuk Glass was a perfect way to rediscover it.

Introduction

Upon our arrival at the studio we were given a nice warm welcome – a log burner roaring away and a cuppa. Time for quick informal introductions between our fellow students and then straight down to business.

As complete novices, Keny showed us the tools of the trade before letting us loose on cutting our first piece of glass. The idea being we get used to working with the tools and mastering some simple techniques – cutting straight lines! Scoring the glass and then tapping from underneath to open up the crack . Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t! Then we progressed onto wavey lines. I think the trick here is to be more fluid in your movement whilst still applying pressure (but easier said than done).

Fused Glass

Before we knew it we were designing glass coasters, using the skills we had learnt in the passed 30 minutes. Using a host of coloured glass and small beads it was a bit like being in a sweet shop, all the jars laid out in front of you and trying to decide what you want.

With colour schemes and patterns worked out we set about cutting our simple designs. I was brave enough to try and use curves in mine too.

Once finished we each laid our glass creations gently in the kiln and would have to wait until the following day to find out how they would turn out.

Glass Window

It seemed like no time at all and already we were moving on to our second piece of work. Feeling slightly more confident about cutting shapes and then Keny presents us all with a template for our next project. A glass window using different shaped pieces of glass – including a circle!

After carefully rooting around in the boxes for inspiration, I decided rather than use lots of colour in my window I would use textures and subtle patterns (unusual for me as I love a splash of colour). There were pieces of glass in the boxes that had had previous life – doors from pubs, windows from old buildings and even off cuts of some Keny’s own work with photographs on glass. All with some kind of local history/story attached. I love this.

Armed with our chosen pieces of glass jewels we each set about cutting. You could hear a pin drop with the concentration at each work station and then the occasional mutterings of someone who had (or thought they had) made a cock up! Most of the time Keny was able to reassure us that actually it would be okay. Unless of course our pieces of glass were broken – oops!

Lunchtime came at just the right time.

A small feast of local produce, presented to us in glass bowls (obviously) and we ate and drank from local pottery – a REALLY nice touch and a great way to showcase what else East Neuk and Fife as a whole has to offer.

Back to it after eating and chewing the cud and the silence of concentration consumed us once more. It’s not that we were at all anti-social but still new to the trade we wanted to make something that we could show off and admire at home. And also improve, I guess.

Then the bit we had all been dreading – the circle. Keny made it look so simple as he demonstrated a couple of ways to do it freehand and off we went to give it a go. Lets just say, my attempt isn’t quite a circle but it’s not an oval, diamond or square either! Reassured that once in place it would be fine that was good enough for me.

With the introduction of a whole host of new tools and ways to shape the glass the afternoon flew by and it was time to go home.

Day Two

The same warm greeting on day two and with the added excitement of seeing our fused glass coasters. They all turned out well and from the twenty that had been made between us only one had developed a large bubble and wouldn’t be making the cut.

So, back to business and the introduction of lead strips into the process. Measuring and cutting the lead. Pinning in the pieces of glass against the frame and making it all fit properly, with audible sighs of relief as things went as you wanted them to. We had also been shown how to use the small grinding machine should it become necessary for “helping” the glass fit. Working our way methodically through each piece.

Without even realising how quickly time was flying it was lunchtime already! Not wanting to miss out on some beautiful Scottish sunshine the table and chairs had been set up out in the courtyard and we ate outdoors.

Once back to it we could get down to securing it all together. With all of our lead and glass held together by a wooden frame we could now start soldering. It appeared that I was rather heavy handed with the solder but at least I know it won’t be falling apart. The down side to this is that mine maybe looks a little more rustic! After all the joints were soldered on both sides, we gave the lead frame one of many brushes. The brushing helps darken the solder points and lead.

Then came the linseed putty. I remember this stuff from when I used to be in the shed with my grandad making (a mess) things with him. Ensuring all the gaps between the glass and the lead were filled with putty (on both sides), we proceeded to take off the remainder and then another brush. Oh and then another brush with a softer brush.

And that was us DONE!

Overall

Both the Dude and I thoroughly enjoyed our weekend course. As I mentioned at the start of this post, I am a creative type and these days that is seen through my photography but it was brilliant to get my hands dirty and remember days of being up to no good with my grandad in his shed. As for the Dude, he is very practical and years of being in the Scouts have taught him many skills. He will admit he isn’t the most artistic of people but he enjoyed the weekend more than he thought he would. Although this was a mostly female course it is definitely something men can get involved with too. I think the fact that you come away with two different products that you have designed and made from scratch is a big bonus.

The East Neuk Glass studio is the perfect place for small groups of people to come together and learn. Because the numbers are kept low it enables Keny to supervise, guide and demonstrate to individuals and the whole group when necessary. Keny’s passion for the art, area and teaching is incredible and although we met for the first time on Saturday morning by the time we left on Sunday I felt like we had known each other much longer.

So, what I’m saying is whether you are local, live elsewhere in Scotland or are on holiday (maybe a golf widow?) this is a perfect place to come and have a go, learn something new and meet new people too. There are weekend and night courses available. You will love it.

**For those of you new to my blog – the Dude is my better half and partner in adventures.

Scottish Golf Show

I don’t need an excuse to visit Glasgow but it’s always nice to have a different reason to go and last week it was for the Scottish Golf Show. Held at the SEC over three days we decided it would be good to visit on the first day and see what all the fuss is about.

We thought about driving into Glasgow and using the Park and Ride but felt on this occasion it would be too much of a faff. What about if we had one too many impulse buys and had to carry them back into town to get the bus back? No. It was definitely a ScotRail kinda trip. Nice and easy from Perth into Glasgow Queen Street and is just over and hour and then a few minutes across to Exhibition (the station for the SEC, Hydro and Clyde Auditorium). It also means we both get to relax and watch the world go by during the journey too. And before you know it you’re in sunny Glasgow.

So what is it all about? Golf obviously! But as I found out there is a lot more to it than first meets the eye.

Exhibitions

As with all the usual shows there are businesses there to inspire you to travel, play and of course buy their products and this was no different. Everything from shoes, clubs, bags and trolleys to specific golf breaks (in Scotland and abroad) and being able to sign up as members to clubs too.

That to me was all standard stuff and it’s easy to at this point to say that was all there was to see. But it wasn’t.

Have a go

As we wandered round we discovered there were plenty of “have a go” type activities too.

Golf darts (who knew this was even a thing?): A huge inflatable dart board at which people used a golf club to strike a tennis ball to try and get a high score. Random but it looked like good fun.

Hole in One: exactly what it says, three chances to get a hole in one.

Bunker challenge: have a go at getting the golf ball out of the sand bunker and up onto the green. And yes, there was sand flying everywhere!

Fifteen minute golf lesson: you had to sign up for these and spaces were filling up fast but a great chance to see if you can improve your game with tips from a pro.

There were also a couple of places to practice your putting too.

Try before you buy

The driving range where different brands of drivers were available to try. This makes sense, as we would take a new car out for a spin before buying it, same thing. This sort of thing probably wouldn’t be available in a shop to try before you buy so the exhibition is a great idea if you are looking for new kit.

Professional fittings

I am guilty of buying online without even knowing if things will fit me properly and be fit for purpose. So coming to a place like this would be really useful if there was that one thing you knew you had to get right.

You could have your new golf shoes properly fitted and even your golf balls can be specific to your game.

Yes you read that last bit correctly. Depending on how you play and your preferences will all depend on which ball would suit your game. We joined the queue for this one to speak to one of the Titleist professionals. As luck would have it we spoke to a lovely young lady and from the information the Dude gave her about his style of game she was able to suggest which type of Titleist balls he should use. He was then given a pair of each (yes I know there are SO many jokes in this, but lets not go there!).

Show Theatre

Throughout the weekend there was a whole host of golf pros, enthusiasts and brands giving talks, and Q&A’s with the public. What a great idea. It’s always nice to hear from people who have the same interests as you. The same ups and downs that the game provides (same applies to photography and any other interest).

Gadgets and gizmos

As with any another hobby or sport there is always a new must have toy or gadget that helps you play better etc. It seems golf is no different to photography.

I learnt that there are GPS watches JUST for golf courses, although as a non-golfer I am not going to pretend I understand why. I do have to say though, the Dude did buy one, so when he gets out on the course with it I shall report back!

As well as the GPS we also found a product that analyses the player’s swing. Giving a report at the end of each course and hopefully this is supposed to make a better golfer.

Of course, there is no miracle cure for a bad day on the course and it takes time, practice and a lot of searching for balls in the rough! So I’m told.

Ladies what play golf

I know that golf is mainly seen as a mans sport but I didn’t realise there would be so few ladies at the show. And even though entry to the show was free for women, once in the show I didn’t see much in the way of female clothing or other merchandise. This really should change.

I had lessons some fifteen years ago and I’ve never actually done anything with it. Never got any further than to driving range. Now we live in Scotland, where courses are ten-a-penny maybe I should re-fresh my skills and learn to play properly?

Do you know of any golf clubs that are welcoming (scared) female (potential) golf players near Perth?

All in all I did enjoy my day out at the Scottish Golf Show and I look forward to returning next year to see if there a more ladies there. Maybe I will be a golfer myself by then?

Many thanks to ScotRail for providing us with tickets in return for this blog and it’s images.

Views on the lack of female golfers and my golf course GPS ignorance are all my own.

Cameron Club Lodges

Before moving to Scotland we used to come up on holiday and drive straight up the A82 and passed Loch Lomond and I can’t tell you what a plonker I feel for doing this having recently stayed at Cameron Club Lodges. We discovered there is plenty to do on site and the local area for couples and families alike.

Arrival

Check in was mid afternoon and we were greeted at the Club Lodge reception (situated on the right hand side of the road as you come into Cameron House resort) and given all the usual information about restaurant opening times, spa facilities, golf course and the concierge service between the hotel and The Carrick site. Once furnished with all the information we needed and our lodge keys, we were escorted to our accommodation just a couple of miles up the road by one of the concierge gentlemen. He walked us through the property telling how to use the heating and just showing us where things were. Something that apparently is done for all first timers in the lodges.

Of course, the first thing we wanted to do was have a look around and go to the spa.

Cameron Club Lodges at The Carrick

Our accommodation was one of the last on the lane and over looked a pond to the back. I guess this is one of the reasons for having an “upside down” layout, you can make the most of the view and this was definitely a plus point for us.

Downstairs two bedrooms, one double and the other two single beds, both en-suite. Simply decorated, with plenty of storage and space. French doors opening out on to a patio area. The bathrooms are spacious with a huge bath and double shower.

Upstairs is where the magic is at! Open plan kitchen with living and dining space and double doors opening out on to a balcony, over looking the pond. Great for watching the ducks and swans. The large comfy leather sofas also provide a good view out if it’s a bit chilly to have the doors open.

The kitchen provides everything you will need for your self catering break and it made a nice change to have knives that are sharp and fit for purpose too.

As the lodge can sleep up to six people (fold up bed hidden away in the lounge), the dining table is also large enough to seat everyone. There is also another bathroom upstairs, including a shower.

The Spa

The Spa is available to all guests (as well as the general public), and Cameron Club lodge guests have complimentary access (for guests staying at a Cameron House Lodge this will be an extra charge). All guests have access to the Leisure Club within the hotel.

This facility is available to use for all those who stay on either of the two sites (Cameron House or The Carrick) and also can be booked if you are staying in the local area too.

Full sized swimming pool, sauna, steam rooms, hydro-pool, infa-red and a rooftop infinity pool with great views. As you would expect there are also treatments available: massages, facials, waxing, manicure etc.

We used the spa each day we were there and it’s a great way to unwind and relax after a days walking, playing golf or shopping down at nearby Lomond Shores or Glasgow. Watch the golfers finish their rounds or the swans resting on the pond, all from the warmth of the sauna – it’s glass front allows you to watch the world go by.

Golf Course

The Carrick golf course is rather unique in it’s location, in that it is split over the fault lines of the Scottish lowlands and highlands. There are nine holes in the lowlands and nine, you guessed it, in the highlands. In it’s design it is flatter and open on the first nine holes and the second half is more elevated, giving great views over the loch.

I would normally wander around the course with the Dude when he plays and take photos but I wanted to explore more of the site myself. In typical Scottish style the weather was fine when he set out and he got caught up in a couple of big showers.

He enjoyed the round nonetheless although it was rather sodden in places and when playing a shot, as it landed it just stopped dead rather than roll further. This will be better in the warmer months and he is looking forward to playing again.

Celtic Warrior

The marina at Cameron House is home to Celtic Warrior, a luxury motor cruiser. Available for cruises around the loch and exclusive private hire too.

What better way to start our week – Monday morning on Loch Lomond, the sun was shining and the loch was like a mirror. Perfect.

Our tour was just over an hour long and we sailed up Loch Lomond admiring the scenery and it was great to get a different perspective of Cameron House too. The crew of the Celtic Warrior were very knowledgeable about the area and it’s history.

This is well worth doing as a treat or for a special occasion.

The Boathouse

There are several styles of dining at the Cameron House resort: steaks, burgers and pizza and Michelin star restaurant. Something for everyone. So whether you are a fussy eater, just want something simple or exquisite, you will be catered for in one of the restaurants here.

We ate in the Boathouse and as its name suggests it is down at the marina. The decor reflects the location with a quirky nautical style and a mixture of sofas and dining tables. We liked the atmosphere in here, quite relaxed and well lit.

We enjoyed a three course meal which included scallops, goats cheese & beetroot starters. Salmon and coconut rice, goulash for mains and cheesecake and sorbet for desserts. All really lovely and beautifully presented.

I imagine in the warmer evenings it would be great to sit outside with a G&T and look out at the marina.

The Enchanted Wood

On my little wander around the Carrick site I discovered the Enchanted Wood. Tucked away between two holes of the golf course I could see signs of its inhabitants, fairies.

To the untrained eye I think it would look just like a few trees with bird feeders on and a path meandering through. But the child within me spied other signs of life: the bug hotel and fairy doors dotted all over. Although I didn’t get to see any real live fairies, I know they were there. Maybe they only make themselves known to children?

This is a great corner of the resort to let imaginations run wild and yet learn about the little creatures that may be resident in the bug hotel or bird boxes nearby. It looks like it is a popular place to stay too as it is currently being expanded.

Family facilities

As well as gym facilities for the adults there are plenty of activities to keep the little ones occupied too: splash pool and flume, even freestyle dance classes for 5-12 year olds. There is an on-site creche and also child minding too.

Easter 2017

I have it on good authority that the Easter Bunny will be joining up with the House Keeping team for Easter egg hunts too. When you check in the children will be given their first clue to help find their eggs in your lodge. Quote the promo code: EASTER17 when booking.

All in all we had a great visit and discovered that actually this resort caters for everyone not just adults and golfers. Everyone is really friendly, helpful and the service is amazing. The whole area has so much to offer and driving straight up the A82 without stopping is no longer an option.

The only downside for me and this is of no fault or reflection on Cameron Lodges and the spa but using mobile phones in the spa area I wouldn’t say is very relaxing. Most people go to switch off from the outside world not take it in with them.

We would like to thank Cameron Lodges for inviting us to stay, for use of the facilities and activities in return for this blog post and it’s images.

All the images in this post are mine along with my views on fairies and people who hate to be parted from their mobile phones!