Glamis road trip

We went out with a group of lads from P's work on Friday night ( after we found Broughton st not Broughten st ). They were a mixed bunch of Irish, Ghanian, Scottish and English boys. We had some beers and some laughs and then they headed into town as young single fellas do and P and I went to the "Olive Branch" a posh bistro and had a lovely meal ( at 9.30 we were the last sitting I think).

Saturday we headed off over the Forth bridge to visit ....anything that took our fancy.. we stopped at a lot of " brown tourist" signs.

First stop was Loch Leven and the 14th Century castle on the island where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned and a walk around a really old cemetery. Then a drive up to see a big house.

Castle two was Elcho Castle a 16th C fortified mansion, a really complete outside and lots of walkways inside and we were even able to get up on the roof. I had lots of inside toilets (the seat with a long drop to the outside about 14 all together) We joined the Historic Scotland organisation and will now try to visit as many as possible to get value for money.

Then Burleigh Castle ( a ruin) and off to Glamis where we tried to get accommodation but nothing, next we tried Forfar again nothing, so I asked at a B & B and they sent us to their daughters place out on a farm, a very nice room. They had been B & B ing for a year.

We headed into Forfar to try for a meal but it was very full but be managed a bistro meal which was mexican grilled vege on a hot grill and add you own salsa etc.

Nice sleep, good breakfast and off to Glamis. A magnificent castle where the Queen Mother grew up. Still a fully working farm and home for the Earl of Strathmore. We had a tour around a small portion of the inside and a long walk around the gardens and a visit to the Scottish cattle.

We tried to find a portrait of a friend from NZ ancestor but the guide could not help and no photos were allowed.

we then headed off to the Meile Sculptured Stone Museum where carved stones from the PICT people of the 8th century.

Then to Broughty beach it was white and sandy and people were out in t shirts. We were lucky it was hot and sunny all weekend.

Then drive through St Andrews, a quick look at the golf course and around the University area, looks a very popular place. Might have to revisit

We then headed off to Scotland's Secret Bunker , it was a nondescript farm house but underneath was 2 stories of civil defence, monitoring equipment it was the place where the government was going to go if there was a nuclear attack. They manned it during the cold war.

Lots of earth above and big doors underground. Weird that it was hidden under a farm, it got exposed in the 1980's. They now had some missiles and military equipment to look at as well.

This is a SAM from Russia and what P wants for Xmas....