*“For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary”*
― *Diana Gabaldon, Outlander*

July 31, 2024 -

Waking up to another beautiful sunny day, this time in the Glenfeshie Cairngorms area. It is feeling a bit chilly in the cottage this morning. I’ll quick start a fire in the dining room fireplace so it’ll be nice an cozy for when we eat our breakfast. We have found while in Scotland that even in August it chills down at night.

*A wood fireplace is perfect for these cool mornings and evenings..*

We plan to have a lazy breakfast hour then head out to explore the wild around us, taking the opportunity to get acquainted with our surroundings. Our goal is to find our way down to the river bed below. The option of dipping our feet in the cold water on this sunny day sounds really appealing..

First we need some food…what shall we prepare for breakfast this morning. The cooking is up to us these mornings. Well definitely will have some of the fresh bread provided, toasted to perfection, with the fresh butter and Raspberry Jam…Let's also prepare some egg scrambled and some yummy apple slices. Also we need to brew a pot of French Press coffee. (Mental Note: We need to buy groceries today from somewhere…)

So nice of them to provide fresh ground coffee from a local coffee roaster named Inverness Coffee Roasting Company... Mandy made a kettle of Porridge and a cup of hot tea with the delicious selection of loose leaf tea provided in the cottage as well. Téo loves his Porridge. It is his go-to breakfast food which makes it super simple for us!

After breakfast, we packed our small backpack with some water, snacks, and rain jackets just in case… in Scotland they say to be prepared for quick changes in the weather. We step outside into the cool, crisp morning air, the perfect light jacket weather. (Such a nice break for hot, humid weather back in Mississippi)

Cairngorms and Glenfeshie in Scotland are renowned for their stunning natural landscapes and rich biodiversity. The Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in the UK, is characterized by its rugged mountains, glacial valleys, and expansive forests. Within this park, Glenfeshie presents a serene environment where the River Feshie flows through picturesque glens, surrounded by diverse flora and fauna. This area is popular among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of trails that showcase the distinct beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Additionally, the region is important for conservation efforts, supporting habitats for species such as the capercaillie and the red deer, which contribute to the ecological balance of the park.

We headed out walking down the narrow paved road in front of the cottage soaking up the sunshine, breathing in the fragrant air. So many wild flowers were blooming around the way. We were looking for a place to head down to the river bed below. Time seems to slow down when surrounded by nature.

*It’s time to blaze our own trail to the River Bed below…*

Soon enough we found a place that looked promising to lead to the river. We had to forge our own path stepping on the soft squishy sod leading out onto a plateau near the river.

A short successful hike and we were soon standing beside the river listening to babble water flowing over the rocks. Expecting cold water we were not disappointed. It was nice and chilly. Téo had fun throwing rocks into the river watching for the splash of the water or watching us duck from a poor aimed throw.

Time to take the shoes off! Soon we were feeling relaxed with nice feet and chilled in the cold water. It would be great to have stayed longer but we had a castle to see yet today and it was nearing noon.

We had a leisure walk back to the cottage to pick flowers along the way to make a nice boutique for the Cottage. Téo enjoys smelling the flowers and picking them with a big grin on his face. Such joy in the simple moments of life…so thankful to have a wonderful family to share these moments with.

Back at the cottage we regrouped and we're soon on our way to the car. Téo goes on first into his makeshift seat with pillows on either side of him. And today underneath his carseat to help raise him high enough to see out the window.

*Teo all settled in his booster seat..ready for a ride.*

Away we went to our destination Blair Castle about a one hour drive. We made a stop at Killiehuntly Farmhouse store to see what they had to offer. Killiehuntly Farmhouse is part of Glenfeshie lodging options on the Glenfeshie estate.

*Killiehuntly Farmhouse & Cottage Road sign..*

It was a cute little shop with a good selection of snacks and other useful items!

*Passing through the little village of Killiehuntly..*

We were feeling hungry but decided to wait to eat until we arrived at Blair Castle to eat. We also needed to buy groceries sometime today. We plan to stop at the House of Bruar which is only a few miles from the castle grounds.

*House of Bruar, this is where we went grocery shopping..*

Blair Castle Story Corner: Visiting Blair Castle in Scotland offers a captivating glimpse into the country’s rich history and stunning architecture. Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Perthshire, the castle showcases a blend of medieval and Victorian designs, complete with towering turrets and enchanting gardens. Visitors can explore opulent rooms filled with intriguing artifacts, artwork, and historical exhibits that reflect the life of the Atholl family. Nature lovers will appreciate the expansive grounds, featuring well-manicured gardens, ancient trees, and scenic walks that invite you to connect with the breathtaking beauty of the Scottish countryside. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and heritage through engaging events and exhibitions often hosted at this remarkable destination.

*A view we had while walking up to Blair Castle..*

*Crossing a little stream by bridge leading to the entrance of the castle..*

It was now mid afternoon and high time for some food. We headed to the Restaurant of the Castle Mandy had noticed a really attractive menu online and we were holding to eat there thinking it would still be open. Unfortunately it had closed so we settle for scones and jam from a shop with food available yet. We headed outside to eat our late lunch on the deck nearby..

*Teo exploring while we sat on the outdoor deck and ate some scones from the little shop at Blair Castle..*

After eating our scones, we headed for the entrance to tour the Castle. It is a beautiful castle with a lot of character through out. We enjoyed learning some of the past story of this hotel along the way.

Clan Atholl, one of the oldest Scottish clans, is steeped in a rich tapestry of history and culture, with roots tracing back to the 13th century. Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the clan's ancestral lands are located around the picturesque area of Atholl, encompassing verdant valleys and rugged mountains that tell tales of ancient battles and feudal loyalty. Known for their fierce independence and loyalty to their homeland, Clan Atholl has produced notable figures, including the renowned Duke of Atholl, who played significant roles in Scottish politics and military affairs. Today, the clan continues to thrive, celebrating its heritage through gatherings, festivals, and a shared commitment to preserving the customs and traditions that unite its members, reminding us of the beauty and strength found in familial bonds and shared culture.

The Jacobite risings, particularly the one at Blair Castle, stand as a significant chapter in Scotland's turbulent history, marking the attempts to restore the Stuart monarchy. Blair Castle served as a stronghold for the Jacobite cause. In 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie made his way to the castle, rallying supporters with the promise of reclaiming the throne for his father, James VIII. The castle's strategic position and its connection to influential Highland clans made it a crucial site during these uprisings. Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved architecture and watch as history unfolds through exhibits detailing the passionate struggle for Jacobite allegiance, immersing themselves in the stories of loyalty, culture, and the quest for unity in the face of adversity.

*One of the walls seen when walking into Blair Castle..*

*A display of the hand fans of the times*

*Interested to learn the language of the fan?*

Our self guided tour complete and a dirty diaper change, we then toured the gift shop on our way out to explore more of the grounds around Blair Castle.

*One of the many interesting books in the gift shop...a fun and educational activity to do with Teo sometime..*

*A view of the castle from a nearby hill..*

The self guided tour over, we explored some of the grounds around the castle. Since it was nearly closing time we didn't have to walk through the gardens and instead visited a pasture nearby which had deer grazing in it. Before we left, we found a swing set for Téo to have a little swing time.

*Something about stone bridges have a way of transporting a person’s mind to different era..*

It was such a picture perfect day and our goal was to drive back to our cottage in time to enjoy the late afternoon/evening. We three piled into Cooper and headed back Northwest.

Soon after leaving the castle we noticed a small roadside shop selling produce. It looked so inviting. We did a u-turn to see what they had to offer. We were just in the nick of time, they were starting to close shop but invited us to come in anyway. Unfortunately they weren't making any more coffee drinks for the day. We instead bought some grapefruit, avocados and some beautiful lemons.

*A cute little country roadside store we stopped at shortly after leaving Blair Castle.*

*Enjoying one of the simple pleasures and watching the scenery go by..*

Back on the road, we were soon watching the Scottish scenery go by, relaxing tunes playing, and navigating the narrow country roads until we made it to the main highway heading North back to the Kincraig turn off.

*Driving through the pine forest back to the cottage..*

An hour later, found us arriving at our home away from home. We headed inside each carrying a bag with the day's grocery shopping. Now we have some nice options for our next several meals.

*A collection of the groceries we picked up today..*

A Scottish observation: We have been really impressed with the attention Scotland has put on good quality food.…When shopping for groceries or snacks at various stores, we have noticed it is much easier to buy wholesome, healthy food options here that are free from unnecessary preservatives, dyes, corn syrup or processed sugars. Instead their approach is more fresh and plant based food options. This seems to be true even in the main grocery store with more attention to simple straight forward ingredients. Maybe the USA will soon start taking note.

Mandy made a delicious Pesto Pasta dish for our evening meal. As we ate, we reminisced over the day's adventures and discussed our plans for tomorrow .

Afterwards we decided to take a short walk to an overlook nearby the cottage in the changing evening light. It was turning cool outside already. We put on our jackets and headed on our way trying to stay moving to keep away from the mingies.The view of the river bed below and hills beyond was stunning and well worth some bites from these tiny pesky bugs.

*Evening walk to a nearby overlook…long sleeves on to save us from the biting mingies…*

*A view from the overlook, maybe tomorrow we’ll try to find our way down to the river in this area…*

The ending of an adventurous day found us going inside for showers and some family time in the cozy den with candles flickering on the windows...

It has been a really good day. Tomorrow we plan to take a drive north to visit the Battlefield of Culloden and maybe stop at Inverness. Goodnight Everyone!

Exploring Cairngorm & Blair Castle

Slow Living - Visiting Culloden Battlefield

Kennels Cottage - Cairngorm Highlands