11 September - Rainy Day to Braemar

The plan today was to do some hiking around the area, but alas....we woke to clouds and rain.  Considering this was really only the second day of our trip where we couldn't do as we had planned, that's not too bad.  Instead we took a trip into Braemar for a look at the town.  From Ballater, over The Bridge of Gairn, through Crathie, past the Balmoral Castle grounds and past the Invercauld Estate, and then past Braemar Castle....it was a nice drive even in the rain.

The Bridge of Gairn (again)

Invercauld Estate (photo from the Internet)

Braemar Castle (photo from the Internet - this was covered with scaffolding when we drove by)

The first building we walked by in Braemar was the Butcher Shop.  I REALLY wanted to stop in, order a brace of haggis and ship it home....unfortunately, that's not allowed.  Someday I'll figure out a way to get some shipped over her instead of smuggling a tin of it home (not the same as fresh haggis).

The Butcher Shop

"Locally Caught"....that cracks me up!

We spent the next hour or so just walking around town, doing a bit of window shopping and such.  It was a nice little town (and I do mean little).  I came across a WWII war memorial while walking around.  In January of 1942, an RAF trainer crashed in the Cairngorm Mountains....all eight crewmembers lost their lives that day.  One of the engines from the wreckage was salvaged and turned into this memorial.

The Vickers Wellington R1646 Memorial

The River Dee....it was quite low.  Normally it looks like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKzOT4z6FD0

The Streets of Braemar

The pipes...where do they go and what are they

for?

It was a busy day in Braemar

The weather was improving so we made our way back to Ballater for lunch at the golf club.  After lunch Annette, Jeff, Gin and I did a walk around the the outskirts of th golf course along the River Dee.  After the walk we stopped in town for some quick shopping (Annette was looking for a specific Scottish Thistle pillow) and of course, a pint or two.

Socts seem to be very serious about picking up poop....

This is the River Dee.  I should be able to fly fish here....where's the water??

The Queen's Royal Guard resides here....Jeff thought he could sneak in.  A nearby neighbor thought otherwise.

Again with the poop....I came across these at a shop in town.

Refreshments were needed after that long hike!

"The Brew Crew"

On the way home we decided to take a "short cut" up and over

the hill

Up, up, and up....

A moss cover stone wall nearby our cottage...I want to build one of these around our property at home.

After a long hike home, we rested a bit and then got ready for dinner.  Dinner tonight was at the Glen Lui Hotel.  Dinner tonight was on us....a thank you to Alan and Jette for allowing us to stay with them for the time that we were in Scotland.  It really didn't seem like enough of a thank you, but it was a start.  The Lui Restaurant enjoys views over the Ballater Golf Course and the Cairngorm mountain range, and this was a fancy affair.  We began our evening by being escorted to a back sitting room where we enjoyed a pre-dinner cocktail (not really, they couldn't make a proper martini so I had to settle for a pint).  Our waiter then took our order and when our starters were ready, we were take to our table for the evening.  

Dinner was incredible....I started with a Smoked Duck with Pomegranate and Honey Salad, followed by a Roasted Venison loin with caramelised Red Cabbage and a Parsnip Puree, served on a rich Red Wine and Vanilla Jus.  And for dessert (which I normally don't do) I FINALLY had my Sticky Toffee Pudding.  Oh....My....God....it was so incredibly good!

Alan and Jette after dinner

After dinner we were taken back to the sitting room where we enjoyed a coffee and some homemade shortbread cookies.  Jeff and I walked back while the others all drove.  Back at the club we sat and listened to a local Scottish musician and had a nightcap (I had an IronBru) and then it was off to bed.  Tomorrow we'll be making our way back to Edinburgh via Pitlochery.

Irn Bru - the local Scottish soda.  It kind of tastes like bubblegum. Weird.