It was a Big Tree Day!

We left our little AB&B twice as our hostess, Joanna, figured out we forgot Richard's walking sticks. We didn't mind turning back as the drive is just so lovely. (Video 1)

Stop 1. Croft Moraig Stone Circle. This is a double stone circle, making it a bit unusual!! It appears to have been built in 3 phases...starting in 3000 BC.

Stop 2. Black Watch Memorial and River Tay Bridge. The bridge was built in 1733 as past of a network of military roads. Black Watch was a regiment that started in 1667 and was part of the effort to keep the peace in the Highlands.

Stop 3. The Hermitage. A part of the national forest and managed by the National Trust Scotland. A wonderful little hike along the River Braan to Black Linn Falls with the sun shining through the trees and the birds singing. So peaceful!

Stop 4. The Birnam Sycamore and Birnam Oak - two amazingly old trees in Birnam Wood (yes, the Shakespeare speaks of in McBeth). The Sycamore is "only" 300 years old while the Oak is as old as 600 years! We could have beautiful old trees too if we'd quit chopping them all down!!

Stop 5. Dunkeld and Cathedral drive by...the area was extremely congested and parking was not available so I snapped a pic and we moved on.

Stop 6. Meikleour Beech Hedge is over 100 ft tall and 1700 ft long! A fun oddity! 🌿🌿

Stop 7. Scone Palace - where Kings have been crowned. This is not rin by the National Trust and was a bit underwhelming. It did not manage to "pull you in" as Cawdor Castle, for example. The actual Stone of Destiny is on display at a museum in Perth. The best part were the peacocks wandering the grounds. Oh, and the cute painted coo. 🦚🐂

Stop 8. Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, Pittencrieff Park and
Andrew Carnegie's Birthplace --
We ended up doing a good bit here. The Palace is now a ruin but the Abbey's Nave is still in quite good shape. It is from the 12th century and is the oldest part of the Abbey. The top of the tower is interesting as it uses each side to spell out: KING - ROBERT - THE - BRUCE.

We walked around the grounds and into town and through Pittencrieff Park. This is a large, park with wooded areas and large open fields. Andrew Carnegie was born across the street from the park. We toured the home and learned a bit about Jacquard Handloom weaving. Carnagie's father was a weaver. Amazingly, these machines worked on the same principle as the early punch cards did with computers!
After Andrew made his fortune,
he bought Pittencrieff Park and then gifted it to Dunfermline.

Stop 9. Edinburgh. Well, technically, we are in Leath this time in a place along the Firth of Forth. Pub dinner and off to bed...we climb Arthur's Seat in the morning!Baca selengkapnya