Day 3 Aberdeenshire, Scotland

1ST SEPTEMBER 2018 DUNNOTTAR, CRATHES AND DRUM CASTLES

Dunnottar Castle, Crathes Castle and Drum Castle, Scotland

DUNNOTTAR CASTLE (pronounced dun/NOT/tar, and said quickly not in the Aussie way of dun/no/tar with the no said slowly). Hahaha

We traveled south through Aberdeen to Stonehaven and Dunnottar Castle which comes from the Scottish Gaelic "fort on the shelving slope". The medieval fortress ruins are from the 15th and 16th century.

Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Scotland

Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Scotland

From Dunnottar Castle we could see the Stonehaven War Memorial.

CRATHES CASTLE

We then visited Crathes Castle. From Wiki: "Crathes sits on land given as a gift to the Burnett of Leys family by King Robert the Bruce in 1323. Construction of the current tower house of Crathes Castle was begun in 1553, but delayed several times during its construction due to political problems. It was completed in 1596 by Alexander Burnett of Leys, and an additional wing added in the 18th century."

Crashes Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

DRUM CASTLE

And then headed on to Drum Castle. From Wiki: "The place-name Drum is derived from Gaelic druim, 'ridge'. The castle and its grounds were granted to William de Irwyn in 1325 by Robert the Bruce, and remained in the possession of Clan Irvine until 1975. The original 13th-century tower of Drum Castle...is believed to be one of the three oldest tower houses in Scotland (and notably unaltered). A large wing was added in 1619 by the 9th laird, and further alterations were made during the Victorian era."

Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Drum Castle, Aberdenshire, Scotland

Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Views from the tower of Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Views from the tower at Drum Castle, Scotland

Drum Castle has a beautiful Garden of Historic Roses. The garden was divided into four areas and each area was an authentic design from the past four centuries.

The Garden of Historic Roses at Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland