Crathes Castle

Now belonging to the National Trust the land on which Crathes Castle sits was previously owned by the Burnetts of Ley family and was gifted to them back in 1323 by King Robert the Bruce. Although some timber fortresses were then built it was not until 1553 that the current castle was commenced but it was 1595 before it was completed. an additional wing was added in the 18th century.

The castle was decorated with a lot of wood panelling and painted ceilings and much of it still survives and it is fitted out with antique furniture and other period pieces reflecting its ownership prior to it being handed to the National Trust in 1951. There is also a superbly maintained garden.

We went a couple of days ago and really enjoyed our visit and this is some of what we saw:

Fort George

Fort George, a little north east of Inverness, Scotland, is built on a promontory jutting in to the Moray Firth. It protects the approach to Inverness and was started in 1748 to control the Scottish Highlands following the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. It replaced a previous Fort George within Inverness itself.

Building work took nearly 25 years to complete and, at a cost of £200,000, came in at more than double the budget (some things never change!). The external walls are extremely thick, covered with soil and turf and protect casement rooms designed to keep occupants safe in the event of attack although an actual attack has never taken place. Numerous gun emplacements cover the approaches and help protect the barracks buildings inside as does a drawbridge approach from land.

The fort was used for training for the D-Day landings in WWII and is still a military garrison being home to the Black Watch although closure is scheduled for 10 year's time. However, despite the military presence the fort is open to the general public with access to many areas some of which are set out as they would have been over a century ago and it is certainly worth a visit.

Kentish Belle

The better half alerted me to this steam hauled train passing through today and, fortunately, its timing meant that it came through just after I finished work so I was able to stop for a quick video.