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This was the first castle we visited and it was very cold here! I loved
this castle--only one room that was finished off and decorated, otherwise it was in ruins and trying to envision what it looked
like when people lived here was more fun.
It was high above cliffs, surrounded by water on 3 sides and had a long way down stairs, then a long path up again
until you came to the one entrance, easy to see anyone approaching by land or by sea.
Here was one of the
rooms that would have been occupied by someone of status. This shows some of the walls and one of the more finished buildings. I love the water, and loved seeing the waves crashing on the rocks below the castle's cliffs. It's a long
way down! Here is one of the storage rooms. Note all the rocks were covered in green moss. It was cold and misty,
cloud-covered, a cold breeze while we were here.  Note the thickness of the walls. Long drop off here to the rocks below!  This was the well where they would get their water. I was having fun photographing a reflection of the castle in the
water. I imagined a medieval people gathering to get water at the well for meals. In the earlier days, arrow slits were part of the defense system. Later, they created round holes for guns. Again, rocky, watery grave if prisoners tried to escape, and very difficult to access from down below.
The castles were built with primarily defense in mind.  This was the chapel.
We were very fortunate that the place was virtually empty. :)
And me, looking incredibly cold. :)
On a clear still night, the blackness enveloped Scotland where
Eilean Donan sits on a small island in Loch Duich near Dornie in all its glory....
Are those torchlights
in yonder windows? The laird getting ready to retire for the night with his bonny bride? The clansmen preparing their pallets
for another night before the sun rises the next morn?
Envision the castle shrouded in darkness except for
the candle or torchlight from within. And you, a visitor stumbling upon the area, friend or foe, staring in wonderment at
the sight of the stone towers and massive walls, the portcullis that is now down for the night. The air is chilly, laden with
moisture, and you shiver. Do you seek shelter within?
Scottish hospitality dictates that you be granted
entry--but what if you are from the enemy clan?
 Would you dare to breach the castle walls?
Brodie Castle
Fyvie Castle
We were rather rushed through here because of the late hour that we arrived--who
could blame them!--and found this delightful garden we enjoyed immensely!
Who needs to live in a castle when you could be the gardener and feel right at home here?
Here is another lovely castle that is in remains. When I first envisioned going to Scotland, I really hadn't thought I'd
love the castles that were in ruins as much as the ones that were "whole." But I have to admit, I loved the castle ruins for
all those we saw! Envisioning the Highlanders living in these castles was much more satisfying than seeing furnished castles
to me. :)
The day was mostly sunny, rather than the gray days at the other sites. And if you look really hard, mayhap
you'll see one of Nessie's fins in the lach!
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