Alex came to visit us from Belgium, in Spring 2001. We went to Dunnottar Castle (Near Stonehaven) on the way up to Aberdeen on our 'Tour d'Ecosse'.

The castle is almost on an island, with just a narrow path leading from the mainland to the castle. In spring, the surrounding fields and coastline are covered in sheep, grazing freely on the lush green grass. The castle entrance fee cost us £3.50. (The castle is open until around 6pm in Spring/Summer.)

Our trip included: Edinburgh, Stonehaven, Aberdeen, The Castle Trail near Speyside, The GlenLivet Distillery, Inverness, Urquhart Castle on the Lochness, Fort Augustus, Glen Coe, Stirling, Edinburgh.

Inside the entertaining hall which was restored in the 1800's.

Outside the hall, is a large room where the roof has long been destroyed, and flowers have grown in the ruins, making a scenic home for the birds to nest in.

This is the view, looking out of the remains of a window in the main hall at the castle.

Another view, looking out of the same window.

The castle played a very important role in Scotland's history, particularly when the Crown Jewels of Scotland were smuggled to this Castle, when the English took up residence in Edinburgh Castle. The castle was mostly destroyed in the 1700's and is now home to large seagulls, which nest in the ruins.

The views from the castle, no matter which part of it you stand in, are spectacular. The water breaks on jagged, black rocks which surround the base of the island, and the sandy coastline is dotted with seagulls, swooping for fish.

Here we are at the Beach in the morning. We had spent the night at the Premier Lodge and drove to the beach for breakfast on the boardwalk. We had a traditional scottish breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages and toast and a coffee, overlooking the view you can see in this pic.

Another shot of the beach.

And another... (missing the beach on the Gold Coast, Australia, I guess!)