Scotland Part I of II

A last minute chance encounter by Rupert, with a key Canadian embassy employee allowed us to renew D’s passport in time and shove off for the second week of the girl’s school holiday. An even more last minute change in plans, switched our destination from Rome, to Scotland and we were off.

Home base for our six days was Steve & Paul Ritchie’s house in Collieston, a small seaside Scottish village, just north of Aberdeen. Steve and Paul are Mark’s (Rupert’s Stepfather) father and brother - we could have not have dreamed of better hosts.

The clean air, spectacular scenery and a dose of family was just what the doctor ordered. Our days were filled with long oceanside walks, castles, scotch, haggis and Mark Knopfler playing in our heads.

A view from our Steve & Paul’s house in Collieston

D at Hackley Bay

P admires her daily haul of shells, at Hackley Bay

We made the rabbit avoiding pilgrimage to the seaside village of Pennan, the location of the family favorite movie, Local Hero.

P makes a call to Mr. Happer. No answer

Collieston is conveniently located just a stones throw from the Whiskey triangle. Ru, P&D amongst the stills, at the Glenfiddich distillery

D with Errol castle in the distance. The castle is thought to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Making paper in Paul’s very cool studio.

The BC’s and the Ritchie’s outside Seaview