Highland castles

I've been away, working in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. I go there because of my job twice a year, and always have a good time; it's a beautiful part of the world, with lots to see both historic and picturesque.

Here is the view looking up the River Ness towards Inverness Castle.

The weather was lovely (apart from one day when it poured and was chilly- the unpredictable Scottish climate! )

Here's the view looking the other way down river; eventually if you follow the river this way, you reach Loch Ness.

Yesterday,I decided to leave the city and visit Cawdor Castle which is only about 14 miles from Inverness. If you cast your mind back to school English Literature, you will remember that Macbeth was the Thane of Cawdor, although in actual fact, Macbeth was born in the early 11th century and the castle was built in the 14th century, so the events of the play could not have happened there. But despite Shakespeare's poetic licence, the castle has a magical and mysterious air about it, one could imagine the 'Scottish play' to have taken place somewhere like this.

A burn runs alongside the castle, and next to that a wood with some enormous trees, Scots pine and oak.

I decided not to go inside the castle, purely for reasons of meanness! And to be honest, I really wanted to see the gardens which are beautful and plentiful.

There is a walled garden, quite formal in style.

In the sky, you can just see a plane taking off, as the castle is quite near Inverness Airport.

I love this combination of pink and orange, very bold and eye-catching.

There were paths edged with laburnum trees and bluebells.

An interesting sculptural fountain hidden away behind thick hedges which you had to push through to get in - a secret garden.

The planting around this was all white which looked lovely and set off the fountain well.

Next to the castle was a more informal garden

with this beautiful covered path with wildflowers at the side.

Some of the gorgeous flowers we saw

I'd love to know the name of this last plant, if anyone can identify it for me. From a distance, the flowers look square, almost like Scrabble tiles!

Let's have one last look at the castle.

Yes, it does look like a fairytale castle!

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Comments

[Jennyff]

Our nieces loved exploring Scottish castles when they were younger and came from Yorkshire to stay with us. There are plenty of beautiful properties in the Highlands and your photos certainly do that one justice.