Day 5 June 11 - Change in Plans - Glamis Castle to Thurso

 

The original plan was to check out of Kenmore and head to Thurso for two nights, with stops along the way.  With Alison's car in Aberdeen, we devised an alternative plan, which included a visit to Glamis Castle.  

I walked by the River Tay (the other side of the bridge from Loch Tay) to take a few photographs before we checked out of the Kenmore Club, which was lovely.

Smile for the camera

This side of the bridge: River Tay

Loch Tay

The plans for Taymouth Castle.  https://welcometotaymouth.com/

The local church and war memorial

Our cottage for three nights at Kenmore

We stopped for a leisurely, yummy breakfast at the Thyme Bistro at Errichel in Aberfeldy.    I chose to have Eggs Benedict and coffee -- and an extra coffee to go.  I also bought a few local snacks for us to munch on in the car.

https://errichelhouseandrestaurant.co.uk/dine/

The restaurant's property features roosters, hens, geese, ducks, horses, and sheep.   A truly recommended place to have a great meal and mingle with feathers and fur.

a good, hearty breakfast

The Rooster posse

Thyme Bistro

And then we were on the road to Forfar to visit Glamis Castle, the home of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne - and the family home of the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother,  born Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, daughter of the 14th Earl.   Her younger daughter, Princess Margaret, was born at Glamis in August 1930.

After the tour, we walked around the grounds -- and visited the Gift Shop -- but as we were on a schedule, we skipped the gardens and got back into the car, heading to Stonehaven, where we might see dolphins.

We had a wonderful and informative tour guide.  With the exception of the family history room, photos inside are forbidden.

Queen Elizabeth II's final visit to Glamis taken Margaret Ingram of Glamis

This door opened so I asked if I could do a photo .. the woman to the right was our tour guide - and she said yes

a Piper came out!!!

me photographing the piper (photo by Michael Rhodes)

https://www.glamis-castle.co.uk/

We didn't see dolphins but we enjoyed walking around and having beers at the Ship Inn.  I chose the Haggis Hunter Amber ale.   

Tide was low

North sea  no Dolphins

Yes, I did order the Haggis Hunter

https://www.shipinnstonehaven.com/

Splashing in the water - but not a dolphin

And then it was off to the Mini dealership in Aberdeen, where Alison's car, with a new tire, was waiting.  She was able to leave the rental car at the dealership, and Michael and I took out all of our bags, drinks, and snacks, and transferred them to the Mini -- and we were ready for the final part of today's journey  - a long drive from Aberdeen to Thurso.  

Pit stop in Keith for gas and the loo

We were heading into the Highlands, deciding where to stop for dinner.  Nairn was the best choice.  I visited Nairn, Castle Cawdor, and Inverness some years ago.    We found The Classroom.  The food was good, but the service was slow.  

https://theclassroombistro.com/

Nairn is about 2.5 hours from Thurso.  A long drive that included three forths: Dornoch, Cromarty, and Moray before we finally reached our Air BnB in Thurso, a 2 bedroom-2 bathroom house with a lovely kitchen and living room.  

It was light until after 10 p.m

 

Time to go to sleep in  comfy bed as one more sightseeing day awaited us.