Date of this event: November 17, 2012
Due to our love of visiting castles and everything we had heard about Slains Castle, we ventured out for a day of exploring.
About 25 miles North of Aberdeen, Slains Castle is near Cruden Bay and faces the North Sea.
Our walk to Slains Castle was quite an adventure. My favorite part was the fluffy and springy grass. It reminded me of Dr. Seuss, and it almost felt trampoline-like.
So we didn't exactly pick the least muddy route. Having not yet purchased hiking boots, James wore his Vibram toe shoes, and I wore a pair of old tennis shoes. We weren't too worried about the mud, but we hadn't accounted for the freezing muddy water that would soak through our shoes and insta-freeze our feet. Yikes. (I think James had it worse than I did.)
This is the trail right before the castle.
I should have taken a picture of the shortcut swamp through which we trekked.
(The day after this trip we went out and purchased proper hiking boots.)
Full of smiles because the beautiful views made us forget about our throbbing feet
What a great location for a castle!
Taking a good look at Slains Castle from afar
Starting our exploration
Inside the castle ruins
Castle at sunset
It was about 4 P.M...
Upon getting the recommendation that we needed to try fish and chips A.S.A.P., we picked some up on our way home from the castle.
We knew that it would be super greasy, which is not at all the kind of food that James and I usually eat. However, we went for it, being in Britain and all.
It looks like it wasn't too bad after all!
Lesson Learned: If you move to Scotland or come to visit, bring weatherproof and waterproof shoes!
Slains Castle was the last straw for me too on hiking gear. It was super foggy that day so we couldn't see the views or the buchan thing. My jeans were soaked up to my knees and we won't discuss my feet :-( I guess the path is always that muddy! Glad your visit was beautiful! And I still have yet to try Ashvale!
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