Scotland Archives - Page 2 of 5

Scotland, Inverness

Inverness was our “home base” for the days we were exploring, well, Inverness, and traveling through Gunn territory all the way up to Wick.

We stayed at the Ardconnel Court Apartments. Like other most of our lodging, it had parking and a full kitchen. We had a view of the castle out the kitchen window, and it was pretty conveniently-located for quick trips to get groceries or to see the local sites. It was the very top floor, and there wasn’t an elevator, but all of the other options that met our needs were booked (and we were booking in the fall for a late-spring trip).

Video – quick tour of the lodging:

Photos

The ViperFish Submersible at a Loch Ness Centre

Explanation of the Viperfish – a one man sub for exploring Loch Ness. It was painted yellow, inspired by the Beatles song “Yellow Submarine.”

Infirmary Bridge across River Ness

Loch Ness

Exiting a tourist attraction in Inverness, where one expects to exit out of the parking lot, this sign is across the street.

The Caledonian in Inverness

Raining’s Stairs – an interesting bit of history, and a way to go from our lodging to the town below

Castle Heather Park

Pond in Castle Heather Park in Inverness, Scotland

West Heather Gardens in Inverness

Inverness Castle was under construction but in view of where we stayed.

We keep finding these fancy glasses in places we stay, and Kevin drinks something like chocolate or strawberry milk from them.

Adam’s Bench at Victorian Market, Inverness

Near entrance of Leakey’s Bookshop, and apparently Mr. Leakey. The place of books, maps, antique illustrations and botanical art, and other things of historical and literary interest.

Inside of Leakey’s Bookshop from upper level. See the wood burning stove pipe, and the wood stacked next to the stove?

January 6, 2026

Scotland: Keith

Wander and Explore

This was a quick pitstop on our way to Inverness. It wasn’t planned, but there was this road sign, so…

Hey – familiar name! (Turns right)

We can only speak to our limited time there, but everyone we encountered was friendly. Of course, that was pretty the case everywhere we went.

Street view in Keith, Scotland.

Street view in Keith, Scotland

Kevin walking toward Square Roots Cafe

Some of the best coffee I ever had, and a delicious, rich brownie at Square Roots Cafe in Keith, Scotland. I seriously contemplated buying a suitcase’s worth of coffee beans to bring back, but alas – only purchased one bag. Saaaavooooring it!

Amused by the KILT acronym for the Keith Inter-Agency Locality Team.

The Whisky Line

Garden in Keith, Scotland

January 6, 2026

Scotland, Crathes Castle

Wander and Explore

Crathes Castle is part of the National Trust for Scotland, and there were guides available with in-depth knowledge of the history of the castle and the family. It was also good to stitch together some more of family history. There are rooms we couldn’t go into due to some structural issues, and also note that some plaster peeling in some rooms were due to some poor choices made to update the home in previous times. Overall, it was a beautifully-maintained property that gave a sense of stepping back in time.

Videos:

Crathes Castle room with painted ceiling

Crathes Castle room with several coat of arms, apparently where many important decisions and judgements were made.

Photos:

Crathes Castle with part of the garden

We were told this is called an egg cup design.

Still surprised to see the palm trees in Scotland, but I was starting to get used to it by time we arrived here.

Pathway in garden of Crathes castle. This garden has many paths and sections, and we ran out of time before we got to see it all.

My foot as a reference for how tiny these little plants are.

Close-up of the tiny plants

Explanation of the Horn of Leys

Horn of Leys

Painted Ceiling in Crathes Castle

Crathes Castle did a lot to replicate what it might have looked like once upon a time. So many antiques (including some original furniture).

This spiral staircase had a rope to the side. I actually found the rope in the center easier to use (see other picture).

Spiral stairs with rope in center that I had to hang onto! Crathes Castle

Clock side of Crathes Castle

Path to the garden gate at Crathes Castle

January 1, 2026

Scotland: Aberdeen

Wander and Explore

We stayed in Aberdeen in a hotel by the Marischal College, which was founded by George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal of Scotland. The college also has a statue of Robert the Bruce, another genealogy figure on my list. The Keiths, Burnetts, and Scottish royal family were certainly woven together over the generations. In addition to seeing the college and surrounding area of Aberdeen, it was a relatively short drive to Dunnottar and Crathes Castle. We spend most of our time outside of the city, but here are a few images of what we saw in Aberdeen itself.