Journey to Northern Scotland

Epic Scotland Trip: May 2-6, 2013

James and I knew that we had to see the northern and western parts of Scotland that we hadn't seen yet. We saved visiting the Isle of Skye for May when we thought the weather would be warmer... Although the weather wasn't terrible, it certainly wasn't the least bit warm. This trip was amazing! Scotland is amazing. If you haven't visited Northern Scotland or Skye, put them on your list. (If you are planning to visit Scotland, do let us know, and we'll set you up with a great itinerary!)

[By the end of our year in Scotland, we put 10,000 miles on the car!]

Date of this event: May 2-3, 2013

I adore these Shetland ponies! (Located just outside of Huntly)

Coming in from the field to greet me

I found out that they LOVE carrots.

Our cosy room at Ross Villa in Tain (Location B on the Google map)

I highly recommend this cozy B&B if you need to stay in the area!

Dunrobin Castle

In Scotland, it rains quite a lot, but it usually isn't the heavy "downpour" type rain that you get back in Houston. When we saw the heavy rain forecasted for the weekend, we weren't quite sure how that would affect our plans to drive up with tiny, windy roads way up north. 

Lambing season in Scotland is so sweet.

Duncansby Head is the most north-easterly part of the Scottish mainland.

(Location C on the Google map)

Duncansby Head Lighthouse

"Dunnet Head is the most northerly point on the British mainland, enjoying panoramic views across the Pentland Firth to Orkney. 

The Dunnet Head lighthouse was established in 1831 and was built by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of Treasure Island author Robert Louis Stevenson. The lighthouse stands 20 meters high and has a range of 23 miles. There are 51 steps and nine ladder steps to the top of the lighthouse tower. The lighthouse was automated on 31 March 1989.

You can still see a number of more recent buildings at Dunnet Head. These date back to the Second World War and were installed as RADAR stations. For a time, Dunnet Head was a Coast Defense U-boat station, used to track shipping and surfaced submarines as well as aircraft. In 1943, the station transferred from the Royal Navy to the Royal Air Force, which operated the base until it closed. During the war, the Dunnet area became home to many thousands of servicemen."

Dunnet Head Lighthouse

We made it, folks! Welcome to the northernmost point of mainland Scotland!

Aberdeen's Hazelhead Park

Date of this event: April 30, 2013

After a morning of baking (and tasting) macarons, a few friends and I decided to go for a stroll around Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen.

Hazlehead is definitely a park worth visiting in Aberdeen, particularly for the Highland Games that take place in June.

Dead rose gardens after an extraordinarily long winter

But the daffodils were in full bloom!

Photographers in action

Oh, seagulls. It just isn't the same without you.

Macaron Making Class

Date of this event: April 30, 2013

Nary had the great idea of sharing her macaron making skills to the lovely ladies of the Association of American Women's of Aberdeen. KrisTina, AWA foodie guru, put this class together, and I had the wonderful chance to tag along and help out!

Nary and I pre-made some goodies to give everyone a taster of what they would be learning to make.

MasterChef Nary

Some of the ingredients. So. Much. Dairy.

Room temperature egg whites and ground almonds

Some of the lovely students hard at work

Whipping the egg whites

The pistachio macarons were delicious!

This is the easy way to pipe macarons. This mould saves you the headache of trying to create perfect little circles on parchment paper. 

Letting the macarons rest before baking

Baked macaron shells ready for the filling

Everyone got a party favor to take home to prove their hard work! 

Thanks for hosting, Liz! Great job teaching, Nary!

Old Aberdeen Walk

Date of this event: April 27, 2013

Our inspiration for this walk around Old Aberdeen was to visit the Church of Scotland's St. Machar's Cathedral. Unfortunately, we didn't check the opening hours, and we arrived after the closing time. Instead, we had a wander around the church grounds before continuing our walk to the University of Aberdeen.

Seaton Park

Thanks for joining us on this walk, Kristal and Steve!

The University of Aberdeen

"Founded in 1495 by William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland, the University of Aberdeen is Scotland's third oldest and the UK's fifth oldest university. William Elphinstone established King's College to train doctors, teachers and clergy for the communities of northern Scotland, and lawyers and administrators to serve the Scottish Crown. Much of the King's College still remains today, as do the proud traditions which the Bishop began." 

[Living in London makes me appreciate all of the space in and around many of Aberdeen's homes!]