Some pics from 12 days in Scotland

**Standard** · 6th October 14, 08:35 PM

What great photos. Thanks for posting them, they really are helping to whet my appetite for our trip to Scotland next year!

**CameronCat** · 7th October 14, 06:28 AM

Right, back again. Here's a bunch more pics to make up for the delayed posting. Thank you for the comments on the pics. One thing I learned on previous trips is to keep the camera on, and around your neck even when driving. With the DSLR on full automatic, a quick unsighted shot out the window occasionally yields great results. You've seen a couple here already. (It also yields tons of cockeyed, blurred or other useless frames but the delete button is always available later!)

From Thurso, we headed south to Inverness. It made a good central stopping point before launching onto the next leg of the trip. The road south is good driving and runs right along the seacoast. Views like this are common.

On the way south, we encountered Castle Dunrobin near Golspie. We didn't have time for the inside tour but did walk around the property. To say it's impressive is to understate the case for both size and location. The rear face overlooks the gardens, a grassy promenade and the seawall.

Once in Inverness and before going to the motel, we went to Culloden Moor. I'd been there on a previous trip but Mrs Cat had not and I wanted her to see it and understand its significance. These guys graze in a field immediately adjacent to the car park.

Unlike my first visit in 1996, there is now a modern visitors center at the site. We thought it did a good job of presenting the larger story surrounding the Jacobite movement and the world political situation influencing the English Crown. The park itself is well maintained and well signed. In spite of the number of people present from tour groups etc, a subtle air of reverence was quite noticeable on the field. Even the little kids were pretty well mannered.

Memorial stones have also been placed in the name of several clans that fought and fell at Culloden. This one is to Clan Cameron.

At many events we attend, I am known by my leather hat, upon which I wear a small bit of Cameron Modern tartan. The hat has traveled with me to many places and serves me well. This shot just seemed to be a natural.

Back soon with pics from the next legs; it gets personal from here. Stay tuned.

**tulloch** · 7th October 14, 07:33 AM

Wonderful photos. Tugs at my heart.

**CameronCat** · 7th October 14, 02:50 PM

Bit of a rainy day here, so I had time to prep the next set. I've been using text here to explain my pictures; for this entry it's the other way 'round. Have I got stories for you ...

Coincidentally, but unrelated to our trip planning, back in the early spring I had been doing some research on my father's family. I knew he was born in Aberdeen, and he listed Stonehaven as his residence when he emigrated to the U.S. After doing some digging, particularly on the website "Scotland's People" (excellent source of documents and info!) I was able to find 1856 records of my great grandfather living in a small fishing village on the north coast near Fraserburgh. He was listed as a master boatbuilder. Birth records show my grandfather being born there as well. Just on a whim, I put the street address into Google maps and was rewarded with a picture of the house still standing, or at least it was in 2010 when the Googler went through!

So, having a variety of addresses for Rosehearty, Aberdeen and Stonehaven, we planned our trip back to Edinburgh accordingly. We had to at least see these places! The drive from Inverness to the east coast is pleasant and straightforward. Once again, the views are astonishing and one must be careful not to lose too much time by pulling over for pictures. I doubt you can ever get too much of this scenery.

Rosehearty defines "quiet village on the coast." Not a lot goes on there. The original town seems to have been about six or eight blocks but rings of modern housing have popped up on the outer edges. Still, it's not a big place. Fraserburgh is only 4-5 miles away and seems to be the place to go for entertainment, etc.

It's about 11a.m on a Monday morning and our GPS / Sat-Nav put us bingo on the location. The house sits two blocks from the end of the street, after which is the small harbor and then nothing but the North Sea. We parked, walked around and took many pictures.

After much prodding from Mrs. Cat, I summoned up more balls than a bowling alley and knocked on the door of the house, emphatically not something I had planned on doing. After a short wait, I knocked again. Finally, a grandmotherly woman with a rather puzzled expression opened the door. I introduced myself, explained that we were tourists but my great grandparents had lived here in the 1850's, etc etc, and showed her a copy of the census page I had brought along. It took perhaps three or four very long seconds for all this to register with her, then her face lit up. "Oh, do come in and have some tea," she said "and I'll show you the house."

Well, we passed on the tea ("Couldn't possibly trouble you but thanks so much..."), met her husband, and toured the house. They said they moved to town when they retired, had only been in the house for a few years and knew little of its history. The "1837" plaque over the door was installed by their predecessor, but they saw no reason to doubt the date as other houses in town had similar history and markers.

As a courtesy to our hosts, I took no pictures inside and am witholding their pics here as well. Suffice it that they are a delightful couple with whom we chatted for probably 45 minutes before thanking them profusely and moving on. We have since been in e-mail contact and I will forward them such documents as I can find relative to the house and my family.

I have now stood where my ancestors lived, and where my paternal grandfather was born. This goes into my permanent file under "Very Damn Cool."

So then, on to Stonehaven via Aberdeen in the afternoon. We elected to base in Stonehaven just for ease of access.

Although larger than Rosehearty, Stonehaven is still relatively small. It is a vibrant town, now primarily supported by tourism. It's got a lot going on and is the site of the New Year's Eve / Hogmanay Fireballs that are pitched into the harbor.

Again, armed with some info and a GPS, we found the house in which my father (probably) lived at the time of emigration. I have proof that his younger sister lived there at the time of her marriage and find it reasonable to assume that it was the family home. We did not knock on this door, but admired it.

Part of the next day was spent investigating Stonehaven. While meandering around the harbor wondering what to do, this showed up for the first run of the day. It's a new jitney service that runs through town and up to Dunnottar Castle. I forget what the fee is, but it's quite reasonable and you get off-and-on privileges.

The castle ruins are stunning and probably appear on a calendar in your den. We walked around the upper areas but did not go inside as the entry involves a great number of steps that Mrs Cat just couldn't handle. I picked these pics to show the terrain upon which the castle sits, probably a good 300 ft above the water. We weren't even sure how the then-residents got in and out as the approaches looked to be challeging even for horses.

I think that's enough for one day; on to Aberdeen and Edinburgh later. Hmm...just informed I had too many pictures in one posting. Will try to smuggle some extras in tomorrow.

**California Highlander** · 7th October 14, 06:18 PM

Thanks for the wonderful photos and the special story of finding your ancestors' homes--and actually meeting the current residents--who sound lovely. What a great visit!

**frank_a** · 8th October 14, 06:18 AM

I would also like to thank you for sharing these great photos. Keep them coming.

We want to go to Scotland sometime in the next few years, but mostly the west side, and specifically Inveraray. Having said that, the National Geographic article earlier this year on the ancient civilization recently discovered in the Orkneys certainly caught my attention, and is on my list.

Again, great pics, and a wonderful story. Thanks!

Frank

**CameronCat** · 9th October 14, 08:45 AM

Hello once again, and here's the last installment. Sorry for the delay but yesterday didn't permit the time needed to sort, prep and write these entries.

The last post limited the number of pics allowed; here's one I had to cut. It's the view of Stonehaven from up on the hill near Dunnottar Castle. For full disclosure, this is a picture of a picture. The summer sunny photo appears on a public signboard near the castle entrance. Our day was cloudy, and time didn't permit the long walk to the viewing area.

After a morning in Stonehaven, we drove to Old Aberdeen to chase down some more known family addresses. We hit only one for three. One address didn't show up on either the city map we had nor would the GPS/Satnav react to it or find anything related. We guessed that the spelling of the street name had changed or perhaps it had been renamed entirely.

A second address was too vague; the census showed only the street name but the Google turned up that name as an Avenue, a Crescent, a Park, a Place and a Terrace. We chose not to go traipsing all over the area hunting them down.

We got lucky on the third. We found the street and house; my family was listed at No. 32 in the 1901 census. It's a fine looking building . But we noticed two house numbers (very small, left side just above the hedge) for the structure and wondered about it. I tiptoed down the alley and found "a house divided" -- No. 32 is at the rear. We're not sure if the house was divided top-and-bottom or front to rear or somehow else. Nor are we sure if the division happened more recently to cut a single house into flats or if it always was two dwellings. Did the family own or rent? We don't know. The census does however list: "Rooms with windows - 6 ". Go figure.

Here again, a neighbor saw us photographing and popped out to chat. We were again invited in for tea (and kindly declined.) He didn't know much of the block's history but thought it remarkable that we were tracing family history.

The next day was back to Edinburgh. To avoid driving and paying parking in the city we turned in the rental car at the airport and jumped on the new tram which took us within a block of our hotel. The trams are bright modern and efficient. Staff at the airport were quite chatty and accomodating. The trip end to end is about 45 minutes and shows off a bit of the city. It's a nice ride.

We have a close friend who performs a nightly show at one of the hotels, and that was our first night's outing. Although he is a talented writer and performer in his own right, he's hosting one of those "Scottish Music Nights" for tourists. The show is quite decent, if a little hokey in places. We enjoyed it, as much for the music as for seeing our friend but one high point was the fiddler from Shetland, an absolute madwoman with the bow! Insane execution and great playing. After the show, I had a good chat with her about the differences in her style vs. "traditional Scottish" fiddling.

We had planned the trip to EDB around our booking for the show. They play full houses almost every night so we took seating when we could get it, which gave us a free day the next day. On our previous trip, Mrs. Cat was surprised to find that Edinburgh has a world class zoo so that went on the list this time and filled the free day. We took a bus from near the hotel right to the zoo's doorstep.

If you haven't been to a zoo lately, you should go. It rekindles your inner 8 yr. old. You can't go and not smile! EDB's zoo is huge and covers over 80+ acres on a hillside. You'll do a lot of walking but will be well rewarded. The Zoo's current stock in trade is their pair of Pandas, and you've probably heard of the female's recent false pregnancy. She was being kept from sight while she recovers but the male was out and about.
My successful adult daughter is as mad for pandas as any little kid and I shot a ton of pictures for her while this guy was visible. When we got there he was having 'elevenses' and munching on a snack. After that he strolled around briefly and then settled in for a nap.

The next day was an early morning tram back to the airport and then home. We had a astonishing time over 12 days and met some fine people. The only real "misses" in our plans were 1) not going otter watching on Skye ... scrubbed due to time constraints of the boat ride, 2) not seeing the Aurora in Thurso, but that was a known crap-shoot from the start, and 3) not finding all the family addresses and locations. That would have been fun but will provide fuel for the next trip.

Thanks again to all for your help and comments. I'll be happy to continue the conversation or discuss the trip via PM if you're interested. That's all folks!

Kind regards and good night!

Yours, the CameronCat

**Dughlas mor** · 9th October 14, 09:18 AM

Thanks again for all the wonderful photos and narrative. I`m glad you had an excellent adventure, and you`re an inspiration for those of us still hoping to get there.