A Three Day Ramble in Scotland

Moody view of Edinburgh

Moors, castles, kilts, bagpipes and lurking lake monsters. These are the images that immediately pop into my mind when I hear the word "Scotland". But on a recent trip to Aberdeen and Edinburgh, I learned that Scotland is so much richer than that. It is a beautiful and picturesque country with a colorful history.

My visit began in the magnificent city of Edinburgh, whose castle sits majestically above the city. Small alleyways and tiny shops fan out from bustling thoroughfares, gothic styled banks and high end stores. It is a wonderful city to stroll through, and I did, beginning at 4 am when I arrived. 

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Stairway on the way to the Royal Mile from the train station.

Main entrance to Edinburgh Castle. 5 am.

View from Edinburgh Castle.

St. Giles's Cathedral on the Royal Mile

Delivery to a restaurant before dawn.

One of many homeless in Edinburgh.

Plaid, even in hotels.

A modern day minstrel performs in Edinburgh.

Aberdeenshire
The county of Aberdeenshire is home to more than 90 castles. It is punctuated by centuries old churches and fishing villages, each with its own unique character, but all clearly saying "Scotland". With my good friend and fellow photographer Jeff Harper, who lives in Aberdeen, we spent two delightful days rambling, as Jeff likes to call it, through Aberdeenshire. Following are selected sights of our ramble. What a great adventure!

Aberdeen's bricked plaza during an evening stroll

Beautiful tree at the entrance to a churchyard in Aberdeen on Halloween!

Waves at dawn on the edge of Aberdeen.

New Slains Castle (built in 1597), said to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker (who lived nearby) when writing Dracula.

One of many strange and wonderful views inside the castle.

The rugged coast seen from New Slains Castle.

Old stone fence and grain field outside New Slains Castle.

Iconic Dunnattar Castle on the North Sea near Stonehaven,
made even more moody by the rain. Built in the 15th & 16th centuries.

Entrance to Tolquhon Castle.

Unfortunately, Tolquhon Castle was not open to visitors, but the outside was grand. It is considered one of Scotland's most beautiful castles. Commissioned in the 16th Century.

A peek inside Tolquhon Castle.

Fyvie Castle, built in the 13th Century.

One of the graceful residents of Fyvie Castle's grounds.

During our ramble, we came across several old cemeteries outside of stone churches, usually in the countryside. This is a closeup of a carved cross, lit by late afternoon sunlight.

Detail of a church gate.

Old headstones have wonderful abstract patterns of lichen that have built up over the years.

Gravesite fence.

Beautiful interplay of light and shadow on old grave markers.

Grouse take wing on the North Atlantic coast.

Scene at Johnshaven, a picturesque village on the Aberdeenshire coast.

Old sandstone building in Johnshaven.

Boatyard gravesite

The old mill near Benholm.

Beautiful bridges at Ellon.