The first stop of the day was Restenneth Priory, a lovely little ruin tucked away in the middle of nowhere.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599570374_3CGy6-L.jpg)
We happened to arrive on the one day a year local residents actually hold a Sunday service on the grounds.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599139551_yj7x2-L.jpg)
An earlier workup of the classic smiley face.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599141992_sPHTb-L.jpg)
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Next up was another old (still working) church that had an 8th century Celtic cross. This was in Aberlemno Parish.
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Their baptismal (in the corner) is from the 12th century.
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Nearby were some Pictish stones.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599148684_UsF2Z-L.jpg)
And this lovely, green field.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599148092_S8V2P-L.jpg)
Now we come to my favorite castle--Dunnottar. It's everything you would imagine about a medieval fortress--on a peninsula, surrounded by crashing waves, glorious views, and moss covered rocks.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599570708_BgBzB-L.jpg)
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We were allowed to roam pretty much wherever we could.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599572874_gLFSf-L.jpg)
Queen Mary of Scotland herself paid a visit to this castle in its heyday.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599572533_BDq7y-L.jpg)
But most of its history is rather bloody and sad (I think that's the way it goes for castles).
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Above the fireplace--1648
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599576453_AJVT9-L.jpg)
Rocks, not eggs.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599577129_nvNLG-L.jpg)
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It was a pity it was such a misty day, though, I think it did add to the romanticism of the place.
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599578820_nLgim-L.jpg)
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599579228_G5Yii-L.jpg)
![](http://www.birchtreephotography.com/photos/599579421_LPSmT-L.jpg)
Next up are a couple of castles and a distillery!
I like that you posted that Mary Queen of Scots visited and then made a comment about how bloody the castle's history was otherwise! Those crazy monarchs... I am such a history nerd. I also love and appreciate the thistle picture at the end...such a great tribute to Scotland!
ReplyDeleteHey, I just came across your website from Milla Chappell's site. Milla has been one of my best friends for years. Anyway, I love your pictures! My husband and I leave for Scotland tomorrow and I can't believe I stumbled on your site. We are renting a car and doing our own thing as well. I'm so interested to see what others did while in Scotland.
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