Blair Castle

Things needed for blogging:

- a WiFi connection

- a place to be still for several minutes, at a minimum

Travel sure keeps you moving.

Anyway, we're having fun viewing castles of all shapes, sizes, and states of repair or disrepair. Blair Castle, home of the Duke of Athol, is one of the occupied castles. This one makes a good first impression, as the distinctive sound of bagpipes greets visitors arriving near the top of the hour.

No pictures were allowed inside, but the castle was full of antique furniture, knick knacks, and paintings, like many a historical home. We liked reading the stories of people who had lived and visited there, up to the current Duke of Athol, and their involvement with the major historical events of the past several hundred years. Emperor Hirohito slept here.

For lunch in their cafe, I really ate haggis, and it was actually pretty good. We started gift-hunting in the castle shop, where I acquired my new favorite brolly (umbrella), which is doubling as a cane for a few days while I hobble around after a very klutzy tripping incident that was fortunately witnessed by no one by Herb.

On the way to the garden, Herb pointed out one of the huge fields used for sheep dog trials and other such events. Away to me pig.

My new brolly came in handy immediately, as our garden tour was well watered. We know why it's so green here.

If you're not a plant/garden fan, stop here.

 Note the seagulls hanging out. It seems you're never too far from a waterway of some sort here.

Pear tree trained to grow against the wall:

Lucky shot: