Out exploring today up the East Coast towards Aberdeen but deciding we didn't need to go there. Drove out the A9 towards Perth and then on the A90 - interesting driving particularly around some multi lane roundabouts near Dundee. Loved the rolling countryside and reminded me of home - hillside and wheat and rolled hay bales - not sure I had seen those before. Did various stops along the way once we got on the A92 and then a deviation to Carnoustie for wander.
Bigger stop at Arbroath - what a stunning wee town on the coast -pots of history and the ruins of an old Abbey. An amazing beach - who knew Scotland could have such great beaches and the marina/ harbour was just gorgeous with all the coloured boats and yachts etc. Another stop at Montrose.
Onto Dunottar Castle near Stonehaven - well how spectacular can one place get. A rocky peninsula with sheer cliffs rising out of the North Sea on three sides and a 'bit of a walk' albeit short to get there. Up n down and about 180 steps. It had me and Lynda huffing and puffing a lot with a few rest stops. So worth it though. Reasonable entry fee. Lots of cormorants and curlews and evidently you can at times see dolphins and seals and whales.
Lots of history here - a small wooden church built in the 5th century by St Ninian. There was a King Donald who ruled here until the Vikings killed him and burnt the buildings to the ground. Lots of battles here between the Scots and the English with the land changing hands several times and lots of burning downs. In the 14 century the Keith family owned the Castle and from here on the family extended the settlement and fortified building - some of them still somewhat standing. Oliver Cromwell was here in about 1651 laying siege hoping to steal Scotland's version of the Crown Jewels - the 'Honours'.
We then headed inland and cut across to the A93 and drove through the Cairngorms National Park and Balmoral Forest area - past the Queens Balmoral residence - well the entrance of - lovely part of the world and can see why they love it so much. Hills and almost mountains - not a lot of traffic - very peaceful and beautiful. Back thru Blairgowrie and Perth (again) A great casual exploring day.