What a Pheasant Day!

Our visit to Cawdor Castle, about 10 miles to the east of Inverness, was an excellent start of our day. According to legend, the castle was built in the 15th century (opening in 1454), and built around a hawththorn tree. Radiocarbon dating has determined it is actually a holly tree dating from 1372. The now petrified tree is still on display in the old tower.

Many additions and modernizations have been added over time such as a hall to connect the original tower to a newer section built to add several bedrooms. The Tapestry Bedroom still has the original Flemidh tapestries made in the 1600s which are in unbelievablely good shape. I commented to the castle guide how distinct the colors still are...she said "the window in the room is always open allowing them to breath".

Stop 2. We travelled back in time by 1000 years. The Senuo's Stone was carved in local sandstone between AD 800s and early AD 900s. It stands over 22 feet tall - the tallest in Scotland. Historians believe this Pictish stone still stands where it was first erected.

Stop 3. Elgin Cathedral, now a ruin, is 801 years old. As Scotland broke from the Catholic Church during the Scottish Reformation (1525-1560) the cathedral was abandoned. As it was abandoned, the lead waterproofing from the roof was taken in an attempt to sell it and as was much of the glass from the stained glass windows. The removal of the waterproofing lead to significant decay of the building. By the early 1700s, the entire roof had fallen into the nave.

We were able to climb the towers and were nearly blown off the roof by the winds! 💨 All those steps ... Up, then back down totalled to 448!

Drove through Speyside then down along the Spey River. Absolutely stunning countryside. We saw a pheasant as we were leaving Cawdor, but on our side road along River Spey we spotted at least another 10 or so!

Spent a bit of time driving through the Cairngorm National Park. There is actually a heard of reindeer here! Stopped in a little village to see the Old Packhorse Bridge. This was built in 1717 to allow funeral processions to get across the river to the Parrish church.

We had bits of rain here and there and the wind has been hitting 15-20 mph so the cool air feels cooler but, plenty of sun made for a very "pleasant pheasant" day!Leer más