For one night only – we were in Aberdeen recently. We went there mainly to visit Crathes Castle which is about 15 miles west of Aberdeen. Below is a photo of the castle from the front. It’s Scottish baronial in design as you can see and it’s pronounced Crath-es.
The castle was originally owned by the Burnett (pronounced Burn-it) family but it is now owned by the Scottish National Trust. As ever you are not allowed to take photos of the inside, it is about time they woke up and got rid of that rule as there is no possibility of damaging anything nowadays when you can turn the flash off in cameras. The SNT would get so much more publicity if there were images of the inside of their properties all over the internet.
Above is the back of the castle, not quite so attractive as the front.
Leaning out of one of the open windows in the castle I managed to get this photo of the autumn colour of one of the gardens. They are really well worth visiting, I’m planning to go back next spring or summer to see them at their best.
There’s a lot of yew topiary there some of which is hundreds of years old. What a job it must be to keep that lot looking good!
I loved the look of this teeny wee house too, I have no idea what it was for, maybe just for gardeners to hide from the rain in a downpour, or just to look pretty.
The next day we went into the city of Aberdeen itself, apparently the oil capital of Europe but I can’t say that it impressed me. I hate the greyness of it all, famously the buildings are mainly made of grey granite which is supposed to sparkle in the sun but it was a lovely bright day and Aberdeen still managed to look dreich. Granite’s one saving grace seems to be that it is hard wearing. You can see some images of Aberdeen here.
Aberdeen does have a good art gallery though and it was worthwhile going to the city to see that alone. You can see some of their treasures here.
The topiarys are amazing! I can’t wait to go to Aberdeen! The last book in the Scots Quair is called Grey Granite. I wonder if it takes place in Aberdeen? I have to get to that yet this year!
Peggy Ann,
I read that one 30 odd years ago but I’m sure it must refer to Aberdeen. Not long to wait now!
Fascinating, Katrina. I agree with Peggy Ann that the topiary (ies) are quite out of this world!! What a wonderful trip. If I end up in Scotland, I’d love to visit.
Judith
Judith,
The list of good places to visit in Scotland seems to be never ending, I’ve seen hardly anything of it myself!
How disappointing that you can’t take photos inside the castle! The garden’s autumnal colors are just stunning. I love Phoenix, but that is one thing I’ll never see living here.
Anbolyn,
It is disappointing as the interior is really great and they have some lovely ‘stuff’ such as wee bits of Faberge as well as really old things. I’m sure Phoenix has beauties too, such as cactus flowers – I imagine.
The castle is impressive and the gardens are, too. There is a famous topiary in Rhode Island (Green Animals) and one in Maryland (Ladew), but I haven’t been to either of them. I must put them on my list to things to see.
Joan,
You definitely should put them on your list as they aren’t too far from you. I hadn’t even heard of those ones before.
Oh I adore that topiary!! I lived very near to Ladew for 11 years and visited it many times!
The first thing that came to mind were the topiary at Ladew.
Lorraine,
I hadn’t even heard of the Ladew gardens before, they look gorgeous. I haven’t forgotten about the Scottish non-fiction books which I want to read, just haven’t got around to them yet. Just as well the challenge is continuing into 2015.
Michelle,
You were lucky, I’d love to see them but don’t fancy the journey.