Auntie Betty’s Ice Cream shop was closed so went into Stonehaven main street for a brunch. We then drove into Arbroath to see the signal museum,but it was closed on Mondays.
Arbroath is famous for being the place where the Scots resolved to get rid of the English in Scotland. ‘The Declaration of Arbroath’ was made April 6th 1362. Some are still trying!
Arbroath also has some ancient Pictish stones, but one needs to make arrangements in advance with the Abbey to view them. So all we saw were pictures of them.
Another place of interest in Arbroath is the harbour with people fishing . On our way out of town we stopped at a church. A service was starting and the the people coming to church were all friendly. I was intrigued by this inscription on the back of a tombstone. I think it was unusual to consider God female. Unless ‘her’ refers to the child’? Probably as the other side of the tombstone reveals a lot of untimely deaths of children, but also some who lived long lives.
After leaving Arbroath we followed to coastal route into Angus and Aberdeenshire. We followed the Eskdale into the Highlands and went to Edzell Castle and gardens. This was an amazing castle with the tower almost complete so we could climb up and see the rooms. A plaque informed us that inside the castle life was safe and that football was played in the large courtyard.
The walled garden was set in formal style with box hedges around healing herbs. The walls had old stone carved sculptures on the 3 sides. One side had the 7 Cardinal virtues, another the Liberal Arts as known at the time ( Grammar, Rhetoric, Dialectic, Arithmetic, Music and Geometry) the third side had Roman gods. Set in the walls were cavities with containers of soil were I imagine plants will be set later in the season.
Just outside the castle were two fields of daffodils and narcissi.
I recommend a visit to this castle
After the castle we continued along winding country roads with views of Highlands and ocean. We foind a place called The Retreat which was a restaurant and museum of the lives of ordinary folks. We were ready for the tea and homemade cake!
Back to Carnoustie Hotel to pack. Ate at Indian Restaurant in town. Excellent!
Canada to Spain 2016 