Blue Lagoon Traveler

  Thursday June 15, 6th and last full day in Scotland.   We wanted to go to a local castle that was about 20 minutes away, called Dunrobin Castle - home to the Duke of Sutherland. We didn’t really plan our transportation out well, so when we finally got a taxi - thanks to Christine- we headed to the castle at 11:00.   The driver picked us up at 3:00pm and very nicely brought us home along the sea so we could try to see seals.  There were dozens on a far shore and only one close enough to take a sort of picture-so I did (of course).  The origins of the castle lies in the Middle Ages, but the majority of the current building and gardens were built between 1835 and 1850. After expansions and alterations it became the largest house in the north of Scotland.  The original castle (that is still visible in the interior courtyard), may have been built on the site of an early medieval fort, but the oldest surviving portion, with an iron yett, is first mentioned in 1...

What day is it? (checks phone) Wednesday, June 16, 2023 Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland  Mary and I have been touristing like lunatics lately, so today was declared a designated day of Hanging Around Dornoch and Doing Whatever We Feel Like Doing, including Sleeping  or  Doing Nothing,  but definitely Shopping . Here are some highlights: Who knew there was a wee fair going on, under the trees by the Cathedral? Not us... ...until we accidentally walked right into it. Shopping fun was had by all.  Lunch was convened at Milk and Honey.  Behold my Goat Cheese Salad, accompanied by a cheese scone.  Whoever said the food in Scotland isn't great hasn't been to Scotland lately. We made friends with lovely church ladies, two in the local church charity shop, then in the Dornoch Cathedral itself, where two more ladies were selling cute items for the fair and Mary bought a tiny hairy coo keychain (we've been eyeing such items for...

Tuesday June 13 4th full day in Scotland!   And they have been full days!  We got going early at 6:15 to drive 90 minutes to catch the passenger ferry to the Orkney Islands. We caught it at a town called John O Grotes.  Other than the ferry, a few shops, a couple of luxury homes, small campground and a cafe or 2, there is not much there in the way of people.  But you do have a fabulous view of the North Sea and I caught a glimpse of a seal swimming in the bay. Ready to set sail The red dot shows you where the Orkneys are - very north The pictures above and below are of the ferry that we took.   On the way over we were pretty cold, but we dressed for it!  The seas were calm and we sat on the top deck of the ferry.  After arriving at the Orkney Islands, we boarded a tour bus (that Herb had arranged) for a full day of sightseeing.  There were 39 other people on the bus, but nothing ever seemed crowded.  The islands are very far north and very re...