Day 11 - July 22, 2022 - Aberdeen - Crathes Castle

 At 9:00 we met with a member of the SNP (Scottish National Party), who was a former member of the Scottish Parliament.  We met in the hotel bar which was not being used, 9:00 AM is too early even in Scotland but they did have a nice selection of whiskey.

We were given a little history of Scotland and it's politics.  After the history lesson it was explained that voters in Scotland, which has a population of around 5.5 million, rejected independence in 2014.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is seeking to hold a new independence referendum, but British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has declined to allow one.  But MS Sturgeon says Britain's departure from the European Union, which was opposed by a majority of Scots, means the question must be put to a second vote.

Pro-independence parties won a majority in Scottish parliament elections last year, which MS Sturgeon said gives the Scottish government a mandate to hold a new independence vote.

The British government has refused consent for a new referendum, saying the matter was settled in 2014 and that there are bigger priorities that people in Scotland want their government to focus on.

Britain's Supreme Court has said it would hear a legal case in October to establish whether the Scottish government can hold an independence referendum without consent from Westminster.

After the presentation, there was a very good question and answer session.  This obviously is a matter which has a great deal of importance to all Scots, where pro or anti independence.

Around 10:30 the program ended and we were free until 1:45.  We decided to walk to the "beach".  Google Map showed the nearest was at Queen's Link Park about a mile away.  The park was shown on the map as a large greenspace.  To our surprise, when we arrived we found a boardwalk and amusement park.  Not what we expected.  

Windmills off the coast of Aberdeen

No one taking advantage of the beach, well it is 56 degrees and windy...

No thank you.

After our walk, we stopped at a café near the hotel for a bite of lunch and Janet went down the street to pickup some laundry she left yesterday.  She went by earlier this morning and they had lost it, but to her and Carl's relief it had been found.  

At 1:45 we boarded our small bus for a 40 minute ride to Crathes Castle.  What makes this castle unique is it's excellent condition and the fact that it has been owned and lived in by the same family since built until given to the Scottish National Trust in 1951.

The Burnett family, who lived in the castle for over 350 years, had roots in the area dating back to 1323 when Robert the Bruce granted them nearby land. Alexander Burnett built the castle in the 16th century, an intricate maze of turrets, towers, oak panels and painted ceilings, many of which survive beautifully to this day.

Castle view from the garden.

Below are a few photos from inside the house.

I am including several photos from the garden of a few of the many beautiful plants & flowers.

After the visit to the ABC (another blasted castle) - this one I actually enjoyed though, we traveled just a few miles to a Scottish Highland cattle farm.  Grace, the owner welcomed us and gave an overview of the operation and answered questions.

                        

Grace actually leases the land for her farm (240 acres) from the Burnett family who owned the castle we just visited.  She is single and runs the farm with just some part time help.  She is very innovative to make it profitable (such as doing tours like this one).

This calf is only 5 days old.

A rare blond Highlander.  Her name was Abbey.  She is one of several animals Grace raises for show and promotions.  She doesn't name the animals raised to be made into steak and roast (the majority).  She currently averages about 200 head at any time.

Grace hosted us to a delicious meal of Highland beef burger with potato salad and a green salad.  This is some of the meat she sales.  I was astonished at how low the price was.  This steak is priced at 12.00 pounds per Kilo.  This translates into about $6.55 per pound!  Of course right now the pound to dollar exchange rate is in our favor.

It was a good day.  Tomorrow we leave for Edinburgh with a stop at St. Andrews.  Edinburgh will be our final stop for this part of our trip.  We have 3 days there.

See you tomorrow.