Thursday, May 2

Thursday the 2nd, a day with our local rep and a tour.

We met Duncan at Castle Cawdor, about 1/2 hour away for our Untours meet and greet day with other travelers. Only thing is, we are the only Untours guests here in Inverness at this time of the year. Cold temperatures but worth the effort to avoid the hordes during peak travel times.

The Cawdor castle is fantastic! The 25th generation is still occupying the place for 9 months a year and it is not a part of the National Trust or any other association. The property is open to tours through the entire castle, owners private residences and all.

After meeting Duncan at the parking lot, we went into the castle for scones and coffee, followed by a talk from the manager of the site. He told us a great deal about the history of the place, how it has come to be, and details about the Cawdor family.

After his talk, Duncan took us through the castle for a fascinating look at what was started in 1372.

Now that is a castle!


The story is that the castle was founded around a tree found growing on a rock because a donkey with a panier of gold on it's back was allowed to roam the countryside all day and lay down at the base of the rock. That is how the Earl of Cawdor determined to build the castle on that spot because he had had a dream to do that with the donkey. I said it was a story.


The petrified Hawthorne tree carbon dated 1372 and at the center of the castle.

We toured the entire castle including the living quarters of the Dowager Countess Cawdor. There were carpets laid down for tourists to follow and some furniture moved out of the way to enable free passage. Other than that, the entire place was wide open for us.

There is no central heat or air conditioning in the castle and each room is heated by a fireplace as it has been for 600 years +. Amazing to see the place.

Fireplace in Tapestry Bedroom







One of MANY tapestries throughout the castle

  

Old Kitchen

  

And the goofy tourist


The estate consists of 68,000 acres, all under management of the son of the Dowager Countess. That is a job! The castle has gardens surrounding it and they are magnificent.



After the tour, we drove back to Inverness and went food shopping. Groceries are significantly less expensive here.

Dinner at a nearby restaurant, the Waterside, and back to the apartment. Tomorrow is a road trip up north to Donach to see the countryside and a quaint seaside village.

Unappealing front door to our 2nd floor apartment


Off to bed.

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