Edinburgh Ross Fountain Castle © Scotiana 2015
Travelling Scotland again
Hello dear friends! We are happy to let you know that we landed in Edinburgh on May 5th 2015 to initiate our 8th trip, since year 2000, to Scotland, and this time around, for an extended 45 days. 🙂
Despite problems upon arrival with rental car company, we finally managed to reach our favorite overnight stay at Mortonhall Caravan Park. The owners had left a small package at the welcome cabin with the key to rented wigwam. We are so grateful to them to have put on the heat… as it was 2 am and very cold outside!
We were also happy to find inside the wigwam a small fridge, a microwave and a TV set that allowed us to follow the news on May 7th voting day. The heartfelt joy of being back in Scotland is boosting our energy level but we still suceeded to get some sleep hours.
Mortonhall Caravan Park at Edinburgh © Scotiana 2015
As soon as we woke up, took showers, ate breakfast, and headed to the National Trust of Scotland’s office, located in the gorgeous Georgian house on Charlotte Square, just next to Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister’s residence, to purchase our NTS pass.
National Trust of Scotland, 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh © Scotiana 2015
The house has been magnificently restored to show a typical Edinburgh New Town House of the late 18th to early 19th century. The fine collection of period furniture, porcelain, silver and glass reflects the lifestyle and social and economic conditions of the time.
The Georgian House was restored in the early 1970s and over the past few years there has been an ongoing programme of redecoration to bring it back to its pristine 1975 condition.
Source: nts.org.uk
Ben Lawers Highland Cows © Scotiana 2015
On our way to Ben Lawers National Park, we couldn’t resist capturing images of these adorable Highland Scottish cows. Their long horns and long wavy coats makes them unique, don’t you think?
Jean-Claude says Hi! from beside the Cairn in Ben Lawers National Park
Lovely Scottish Black Face Sheep © Scotiana 2015
From Mortonhall Caravan Park we headed towards Blair Castle and stopped along the way at Dunkeld to admire the cathedral and then Birnam, to visit Beatrix Potter Center.
Scotiana’s mascots at Birnam’s Beatrix Potter Garden © Scotiana 2015
A cheerful welcome from Philip, the warden, greeted us at Blair Castle’s camping site. Did not take us long to pull up our little tent as the wind was chilly and we ere eager to get under cover.
“It froze yesterday” said Philip. Brrrrrrr….
Scotiana’s mascots at Blair Castle – Scotland © Scotiana 2015
It was quite a challenge to locate the Dunfallandy stone, an exceptionally well-preserved Pictish cross-slab!
Let’s follow Mairiuna up the path leading to the Dunfallandy Pictish stone – Scotland © Scotiana 2015
Dunfallandy Stone -Pictish stone © Scotiana 2015
‘ (…) It is carved from red sandstone.
One face bears an elaborately decorated cross, around which are panels containing figures and a combination of fantastic and naturalistic animals. The reverse face is framed by a pair of fish monsters clasping a human head – perhaps an allusion to Jonah and the whale. Within this frame are three human figures, two seated (a man and a woman?) and the third mounted on a horse. (…)
Read more about it on: historic-scotland.gov.uk
Scotiana’s mascots at St Mary’s Chapel – © Scotiana 2015
On the road again…
Stay tuned for more!
Mairiuna and Jean-Claude
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I enjoy this website, a friend in Australia sends it to me, Scotland is fascinating to me.