Well, I never thought we'd say we woke up in a castle but we did! Mrs. Koog found a super cool castle that was converted into a hotel for our last night in the Inverness area. In keeping with kooky things on vacation, the castle check-in ranks up there. After our long but awesome day yesterday on Skye, we drove to our castle hotel. Grabbed out bags and walked into the very grand check-in desk and gave our name. The nice lady behind the desk said, "Welcome, we have both rooms ready for you!" Mrs. Koog and I looked at each other and then the nice lady and said "hmm, both rooms?" The lady explained we had booked and pre-paid (non-refundable) for 2 rooms. A family room with breakfast included and a king room, no breakfast. So, 2 rooms it was! The family room would have been plenty big enough with a set of bunk beds and a king. The other room was just a king bed and bathroom with a soaking tub.
We decided to let the boys stay in the family room and we took the king room. The castle hotel used actual keys instead of key cards. The key chain was the silhouette of a hairy coo (highland cow). So, we got the boys settled and literally locked them into their room. Yes, they could get out but no one other than us could get into the room. They were a floor above us, but it was really just a few steps based on the layout of the castle. They were snuggly asleep in less than 10 mins.
So, how was our King room? It was HOT! Apparently, old castles didn't have central air! We did have the windows open and the room cooled down overnight. The water pressure in the old place was excellent and blasted the sweat and grime off of me after the Skye hike. Still sleeping off the motion sickness medicine, I slept like I was dead. Mrs. Koog also slept well. The little Koogs came to our room about 8:30 and reported they also slept well. I think we should only stay in castles from now on since we all had such a good night's sleep!
As I said, the Family room came with breakfast and we did pay for that room, so we brought the hairy coo key chain for that room to the dining room and sat for breakfast. Continental breakfast and hot breakfast to order. We each ordered eggs and bacon rashers. I also added the baked beans, it's my favorite thing for breakfast here in the UK. The Scots are a literal people. What we got was a single egg and a single rasher. I did get more than one baked bean, though. Lesson learned, be specific in the number of items one wants on their breakfast plate.
After breakfast we packed up (again), checked-out and loaded the car (again). We didn't leave right away because guess what the hotel had...wait for it...3 HAIRY COOS! Obviously, we had to go check them out. They stayed in the middle of their field knowing we had no carrots for them. We took lots of pictures, though. Both B and E wanted to take one home. Pretty sure they are over the baggage limit, even in Premium! We said goodbye to the coos and headed toward Aberdeen.
Elgin Cathedral
We made a stop at the Elgin Cathedral ruins. Super cool site. 12th century Cathedral that was destroyed and rebuilt several times, including during the time that catholicism was outlawed. The whole family climbed the spiral staircase with a rope bannister all the way to the top of the tower. As has become standard, the views were incredible. The cathedral cemetery had stones from the 12 century to 1996. There was also an octagonal prayer house that was intact and had the most beautiful ceiling. They had Gregorian chants playing in the background. Sounds creepy, but it really wasn't at all. It was very soothing.
Across the street was the Cathedral garden. Holy moly, what a garden! Everything was in bloom. The fragrance was heavenly (no pun intended). It had little paths with little hidden gardens. I ran into a nice older lady that pointed me to the back garden where she said "the flowers look like something on the telly"! Such a nice lady and a beautiful walk. E and B loved taking pictures of the flowers and watching the abundant honeybees move about in the flowers. Really gorgeous place.
The East Aquhorthies Stone Circle
Back in the car we went and headed to the East Aquhorthies Stone Circle (EASC, because I cannot spell that more than once!). We got off the motorway and headed through a small town on a 2 way road. Then, true to Scotland civil engineering, hit the single track road. This time there was no steep drop, though. We arrived and found a very small car park with an honesty box for parking. Yes, we paid. We are rule followers after all.
The path to the EASC was another single track road lined with beautiful wildflowers and thistles. The purple, pinks, red, white and yellows up against the gray sky was just awe inspiring. No photo could ever do it justice. Once off the road/path we walked up a true path with the same beautiful wild flowers. The stones were super cool. There was something called a recumbent circle set of stones that are consistent Pictish stones in Scotland. If you are ever in the Aberdeenshire area, it is worth a stop for just £2 for parking if you are honest. (I found the £ sign, so I'm using my new skill!)
Aberdeen and the Stone Cottage
That was our last stop before heading to Aberdeen. Why Aberdeen? Well, Mrs. Koog studied at the University of Aberdeen as an exchange student. She was there approximately 10 years after its founding in 1495. Just kidding, Mrs. Koog! Again, the Mrs. scored an awesome accommodation. We are nearly on campus in a super posh stone cottage. It is small but gorgeous. And has a skeleton key that I think is super cool. Both little Koogs love the place, too. I have not yet tried the shower as we've just arrived, so no comment on the water pressure yet.
Dinner, groceries and a garden walk
We quickly unpacked the car. Since we are here for 2 nights, we are taking the opportunity to repack our bags. Let me restate, I need to repack my bag. I will explain...when we left my beloved North Wales, I was not thinking about the next several stops being one nighters. So, I indiscriminately threw my stuff in all my bags abandoning my compression cubes. Every night since it's been like a scavenger hunt for underwear, undershirts, waterproof pants..you get the idea. So, we unloaded the entire car and will take the opportunity to repack tomorrow evening.
After unloading and exploring our little stone cottage, we were starving and walked to dinner at Brig O'Dons. Nice place but super slow service. Sticky toffee pudding was super good. As were the pints of Thatchers cider the Mrs. and I drank. Next to the pub was a Lidl. We needed food for breakfast and got the staples there for our few days here in Aberdeen. As a sidebar, I am supremely disappointed there is no Welsh whiskey or dairy in Scotland. I know, I know...Scotland, Scotch. But Welsh whiskey is quite delicious. And don't even get me started on the quality of Welsh dairy. Get it together, Scotland! Show the Welsh agriculture sector some love!
With bags in hand, the Mrs. led us on a meandering walk to get to the University of Aberdeen. I guess the campus changed since she was a student in the 1500's (I'm so funny tonight, if I don't write tomorrow assume I've been killed). The walk included being stuck in a locked park and nearly having to walk back a mile to the "path" we entered from. Luckily, B-Koog spotted a cut fence that we snuck through to get out. Maybe we are not rule followers after all?
We arrived on the University of Aberdeen campus. The apartments that Mrs. Koog lived in were torn down after she left in 1994 and new ones built but we saw the location of her flat. We walked to Seton Park after the campus. The Mrs. told me many stories of the flowers of the park. It was so beautiful, I even FaceTimed with Momma-Koog so she could experience the beauty. Really awe inspiring.
After the 2 mile meandering walk, we arrived home with our groceries. The little Koogs asked what we were making for second dinner. Seriously? B had a 12 oz steak and E had a giant burger and dessert. They basically ate nearly everything we bought at Lidl 30 mins ago!
To close out the night, I transferred photos from my camera to my laptop. Mrs. Koog watched a little tv and set up her side of the bed with her anti-snoring device. The boys watched the show Vera with us but ultimately went to bed on their own accord. Both are sleeping quietly right now.
Tomorrow we explore Aberdeen in search of my Kilt...yup, I'm getting one.
We decided to let the boys stay in the family room and we took the king room. The castle hotel used actual keys instead of key cards. The key chain was the silhouette of a hairy coo (highland cow). So, we got the boys settled and literally locked them into their room. Yes, they could get out but no one other than us could get into the room. They were a floor above us, but it was really just a few steps based on the layout of the castle. They were snuggly asleep in less than 10 mins.
So, how was our King room? It was HOT! Apparently, old castles didn't have central air! We did have the windows open and the room cooled down overnight. The water pressure in the old place was excellent and blasted the sweat and grime off of me after the Skye hike. Still sleeping off the motion sickness medicine, I slept like I was dead. Mrs. Koog also slept well. The little Koogs came to our room about 8:30 and reported they also slept well. I think we should only stay in castles from now on since we all had such a good night's sleep!
As I said, the Family room came with breakfast and we did pay for that room, so we brought the hairy coo key chain for that room to the dining room and sat for breakfast. Continental breakfast and hot breakfast to order. We each ordered eggs and bacon rashers. I also added the baked beans, it's my favorite thing for breakfast here in the UK. The Scots are a literal people. What we got was a single egg and a single rasher. I did get more than one baked bean, though. Lesson learned, be specific in the number of items one wants on their breakfast plate.
After breakfast we packed up (again), checked-out and loaded the car (again). We didn't leave right away because guess what the hotel had...wait for it...3 HAIRY COOS! Obviously, we had to go check them out. They stayed in the middle of their field knowing we had no carrots for them. We took lots of pictures, though. Both B and E wanted to take one home. Pretty sure they are over the baggage limit, even in Premium! We said goodbye to the coos and headed toward Aberdeen.
Elgin Cathedral
We made a stop at the Elgin Cathedral ruins. Super cool site. 12th century Cathedral that was destroyed and rebuilt several times, including during the time that catholicism was outlawed. The whole family climbed the spiral staircase with a rope bannister all the way to the top of the tower. As has become standard, the views were incredible. The cathedral cemetery had stones from the 12 century to 1996. There was also an octagonal prayer house that was intact and had the most beautiful ceiling. They had Gregorian chants playing in the background. Sounds creepy, but it really wasn't at all. It was very soothing.
Across the street was the Cathedral garden. Holy moly, what a garden! Everything was in bloom. The fragrance was heavenly (no pun intended). It had little paths with little hidden gardens. I ran into a nice older lady that pointed me to the back garden where she said "the flowers look like something on the telly"! Such a nice lady and a beautiful walk. E and B loved taking pictures of the flowers and watching the abundant honeybees move about in the flowers. Really gorgeous place.
The East Aquhorthies Stone Circle
Back in the car we went and headed to the East Aquhorthies Stone Circle (EASC, because I cannot spell that more than once!). We got off the motorway and headed through a small town on a 2 way road. Then, true to Scotland civil engineering, hit the single track road. This time there was no steep drop, though. We arrived and found a very small car park with an honesty box for parking. Yes, we paid. We are rule followers after all.
The path to the EASC was another single track road lined with beautiful wildflowers and thistles. The purple, pinks, red, white and yellows up against the gray sky was just awe inspiring. No photo could ever do it justice. Once off the road/path we walked up a true path with the same beautiful wild flowers. The stones were super cool. There was something called a recumbent circle set of stones that are consistent Pictish stones in Scotland. If you are ever in the Aberdeenshire area, it is worth a stop for just £2 for parking if you are honest. (I found the £ sign, so I'm using my new skill!)
Aberdeen and the Stone Cottage
That was our last stop before heading to Aberdeen. Why Aberdeen? Well, Mrs. Koog studied at the University of Aberdeen as an exchange student. She was there approximately 10 years after its founding in 1495. Just kidding, Mrs. Koog! Again, the Mrs. scored an awesome accommodation. We are nearly on campus in a super posh stone cottage. It is small but gorgeous. And has a skeleton key that I think is super cool. Both little Koogs love the place, too. I have not yet tried the shower as we've just arrived, so no comment on the water pressure yet.
Dinner, groceries and a garden walk
We quickly unpacked the car. Since we are here for 2 nights, we are taking the opportunity to repack our bags. Let me restate, I need to repack my bag. I will explain...when we left my beloved North Wales, I was not thinking about the next several stops being one nighters. So, I indiscriminately threw my stuff in all my bags abandoning my compression cubes. Every night since it's been like a scavenger hunt for underwear, undershirts, waterproof pants..you get the idea. So, we unloaded the entire car and will take the opportunity to repack tomorrow evening.
After unloading and exploring our little stone cottage, we were starving and walked to dinner at Brig O'Dons. Nice place but super slow service. Sticky toffee pudding was super good. As were the pints of Thatchers cider the Mrs. and I drank. Next to the pub was a Lidl. We needed food for breakfast and got the staples there for our few days here in Aberdeen. As a sidebar, I am supremely disappointed there is no Welsh whiskey or dairy in Scotland. I know, I know...Scotland, Scotch. But Welsh whiskey is quite delicious. And don't even get me started on the quality of Welsh dairy. Get it together, Scotland! Show the Welsh agriculture sector some love!
With bags in hand, the Mrs. led us on a meandering walk to get to the University of Aberdeen. I guess the campus changed since she was a student in the 1500's (I'm so funny tonight, if I don't write tomorrow assume I've been killed). The walk included being stuck in a locked park and nearly having to walk back a mile to the "path" we entered from. Luckily, B-Koog spotted a cut fence that we snuck through to get out. Maybe we are not rule followers after all?
We arrived on the University of Aberdeen campus. The apartments that Mrs. Koog lived in were torn down after she left in 1994 and new ones built but we saw the location of her flat. We walked to Seton Park after the campus. The Mrs. told me many stories of the flowers of the park. It was so beautiful, I even FaceTimed with Momma-Koog so she could experience the beauty. Really awe inspiring.
After the 2 mile meandering walk, we arrived home with our groceries. The little Koogs asked what we were making for second dinner. Seriously? B had a 12 oz steak and E had a giant burger and dessert. They basically ate nearly everything we bought at Lidl 30 mins ago!
To close out the night, I transferred photos from my camera to my laptop. Mrs. Koog watched a little tv and set up her side of the bed with her anti-snoring device. The boys watched the show Vera with us but ultimately went to bed on their own accord. Both are sleeping quietly right now.
Tomorrow we explore Aberdeen in search of my Kilt...yup, I'm getting one.
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