Scotland

Scotland in the winter is no less beautiful than Scotland in its other seasons. Leafless trees are black lacy webs against ever changing skies. They edge the vistas of rolling hills, farm dykes and river ways. The countryside is surprisingly green for January, signs of rainy days just gone, but now the no temperature has dropped and low lying fog lolls in the valleys and standing water is glazed with thin sheets of ice.

Flying to Aberdeen from Gatwick seemed a better option when train prices were comparable but the flight took less than two hours. I am so blessed with having met friends traveling and or visiting at home and so I had a warm welcome at the Aberdeen airport and transport to Tullynessle where my friends Jane and Alan live on a farm just outside of Alford near Aberdeen.

They purchased their ‘listed’ historic stone farm house in the 80’s and brought this 100 plus year old property into this century, installing enough mod-coms to raise a family and establish careers and a keep a farm. A warm fire and nights spent watching tellie with days of outings to surrounding villages for lunch and shopping passed too quickly.

The farm of my host Alan and his family was certainly a favourite outing. I was shown around the farm and the various cow barns, organized according to when and if they would calve. The cows were huge and curious and would move close to the rails for a better look at their Canadian guest. Welcoming or snoopy, hard to say but not at all menacing. Even the 1000 pound bull named Charlie was quietly chewing his cud and paid us no attention as he reposed in his private stall.

A Wee Train Trip

Glasgow

Leaving my lovely friends and hosts in Tullynessle I ventured by train to Glasgow to stay with my friends Robert and Julie and their family, where I was reminded how lucky I am to know people in Scotland and England because you can’t beat the warmth of their hospitality. The scenic train from Aberdeen to Glasgow doesn’t seem long enough, so beautiful and clear was the day.

I had spent time in Glasgow in the past and Julie and I had wandered the city on foot to visit museums, gardens and art galleries and so on this visit, at my request, we ventured to the countryside around Glasgow.

On a day trip a short ways from Glasgow, we visited Mugdock Park where we walked the paths and around Mugdock Castle. The ruins of an old castle (no shortage of them in Scotland) were interesting.

On another excursion I finally laid eyes on Loch Lomond, made fast in my mind by the song I learned as a child. “You take the high road, and I’ll take the low road and I’ll be in Scotland afore ye…” Right…we all know the words.

We had a lovely walk along the lake where Robert partook of his passion….cold water swimming, declaring it to be much warmer than on Hogmanay.

Neither Julie nor I cared to test his theory. Instead we enjoyed a walk along the lake and after Robert dried off we lunched in a lovely country pub, Tom Weir’s Nest and then visited the manor on the other side of the Loch where Julie and Robert were married. A beautiful spot for a memorable occasion.

Edinburgh

Many years since I was in Edinburgh to see the Fringe Festival and the Tatoo. But this time I had more time to wander the city and see the sights I hadn’t seen on that first trip.

Everything I wanted to see was quite walkable from my flat on Castle Terrace and I ventured out to see the City of Edinburgh Museum, the Scottish Art Gallery and various monuments around the city. I walked the famous Royal Mile and visited a Gallery dedicated to weaving and fabric arts. A busy place, steeped in history and easy to navigate I would love to go back and spend more time out and around the city.