Ahem.
www.theguardian.com
We sadly couldn't do all the things you suggested, my itinerary was a scrap of paper and all.over the shop. Kept going past places I remembered I wanted to visit and no signal so couldn't keep re-reading your advice. Did go to Bass of Inverurie which was brilliant, what a bizarre and wonderful thing to see in the middle of a cemetery. The pictish horse art was very impressive too. Saw the stone in the middle of the Modern estate, another one on the outskirts, went to aforementioned ruined Manor estate and had a good walk around.Never been to Trusty's Fort, no. Inverurie is pretty-much the epicentre of ancient Aberdeenshire, so you have a huge choice of sites that way! I'd also suggest you consider having a look at the Maiden Stone - A very fine Pictish carved stone just up the hill off the A96 at Pitcaple - and if there, if you walk down the hill a little bit, on the right is "Persephone" - a large modern sculpture in a little glade just off the road (no parking though).
Also nearby is Insch and the Picardy Stone - another very fine Pictish stone, plus the short walk to the hillfort at Dunnideer - which has superb views, several phases of occupation/construction into medieval times and hut circles cut into the hillside. There are a couple more ancient sites/circle remains in the same area but all significantly damaged or in fields that usually have livestock.
Picardy Stone Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland
Information about and images of the Picardy Stone Pictish stone in Aberdeenshire on Undiscovered Scotland.www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
That little cottage just along the road from the Picardy Stone to Dunnideer was where my family got its Aberdeenshire roots down after coming from Moray via Buchan - it is restored as a private house now after a long time in ruins.
Also, over the hill is the large ruin of the mansion of Wardhouse, once home to Admiral Sir James Alexander Gordon, who was the inspiration for CS Forester's Horatio Hornblower! I have driven-up and had a look - the old steading/square beside it is still occupied but the house itself is visitable. Unless someone has started restoring it - there was talk of that maybe happening a couple of years back but it could be all hot air.
Also easily reached from Inverurie via the lovely "Lords Throat" back road along the river Don and the back O'Bennachie is the Old Keig stone circle. The biggest recumbent of them all and in a great location. There is a large place for forestry/farming trucks to park just at the head of the strip of trees it sits in, just jump the fence and walk down. The Modern Antiquarian site talks about people feeling "unwelcome" but I've never been bothered on any visit over many years and the last time I was there, I was pretty certain the nearby farm is no longer occupied or sold-off as a private house.
Old Keig
You could make a nice circular to Kemnay that way.
Arrived there too late to get in sadly! Thanks for heads up thoughjust to give a heads up to Delgatie Castle north of Turriff. It's a thousand years old, fascinating history, waaay more interesting than any of the vulgar new money stately homes of England. Cheap to do the tour, and the 'lairds kitchen' cafe home bakes are exceptional. If you are in the area don't drive past
Ahh yes, another group of gannets.. (its not mainland Scotland though is it, with it being an island/rock/protuberance from the sea) ;-DAhem.
Scotland’s Bass Rock: world’s largest colony of northern gannets – in pictures
A team from the Scottish Seabird Centre prepare Bass Rock ready for the return of visitors
Save it for another day cyber'. Apparently Mary Queen of Scots stayed there for a time, i believe her bed remains in situ, but i could be wrong.. i go there for the excellent Cullen Skink.
Thanks, love a castle with a good tearoom, preferably licenced! Hopefully will manage it before we depart. Wanted to go to another one the other day but can't stand two hour guided tours when people talk about posh land grabbing people with reverence when all you want to see is the haunted nursery.
Delgaty aint a guided tour spot as far as i know cyber', just a wander at will place really. A nice chocolate coffee is available, not sure about alcohol.
Sounds perfect, will let you know if we make it, def be back here again though. What a great part of the world.Delgaty aint a guided tour spot as far as i know cyber', just a wander at will place really. A nice chocolate coffee is available, not sure about alcohol.
bUt ThE bUrGeRz
Without the bogof deal would have been 12 quid for small vegan burger with no fries, salad, anything. I am having lazy day today reading while other half and child go to bird sanctuaries.I'm more horrified by the price of their "Buffalo Cauliflower" - This product is truly on the drug-cartel scale of mark-ups..!
And if it was the Peterhead Brewdog, then it is probably forgivable - Some of the other pubs can be right scary places, esp since the Scotcher closed.
Boyfriend going to watch Fraserburgh play tonight for the sheer delight of a Scottish football match. I will stay behind. That Peterhead beer company is excellent.
Here until Saturday...
The coast is lovely, we are in Pennan, been driving along coast between Inverurie and Fraserburgh looking for old things with the help of books and the Internet...
