Ruthven Barracks

The last part of our day traveling to Tummel was a quick stop at Ruthven Barracks. We nearly didn't stop as it started chucking it down when we parked but cleared up 190 mins later and dad and I decided to brave it (mom's too cold and stayed in the car). It was worth it. There were even some bits of blue sky oddly. 

The barracks where built by the English in the 1700s to house troops to protect the area against the Jacobite rebels who did eventually take the barracks but they had to work for it. 

Chimmney

Great view

Never a straight road.

Arrow shooting window

Stables

It is even steeper than it looks

After this we drove to the last stop. (Well I drove - I didn't let mom or dad drive until the end of the next week. They had issues staying awake, especially  mom.)

Lossiemouth and Elgin

On our second day, we went to Lossiemouth. Mom was looking for some fresh fish. Apparently there were lots of options when Susan Kalman visited. We did not get the same greeting and there was nothing! So we has a walk and lunch by the beach instead. The beach was amazing. White sand and huge. And practically empty - just the way I like it. And there were enough dogs to get a left dog cuddles from random dogs, including an adorable greyhound. 

On the way back we passed through Elgin and I really wanted to see the cathedral ruins. The cathedral, also know as the 'Lantern of the North', is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in Scotland. And It is lovely. It was first built in 1224, though it had to be rebuilt a few times over the next few hundred years. 

One of the towers is still standing and you can go up. On each level, there are displays, mostly of stone carvings from the original build and from the 14th contrary. It was quite impressive how complete they still are 700 years later. 

The original glass of 1200s. 

How it would have looked.

Mom made it about half way up. Dad and I went to the top though 3/4 of the way up I realised she had the right idea. The stairs got smaller and steeper and more worn and it was a bit hairy at times, especially going back down.

freedom!

The view from the first floor balcony was lovely. It must have been so impressive when build. And it would have had a rose window (like that in Notre Dame) at the far end.

View from the first floor

We had a wonder around the grounds. I liked some of the graves. 

The best bit was prayer room which is still standing. There is a giant pillar in the centre and a gorgeous ceiling. Mom and I couldn't agree whether it was stone under wood. I still vote stone. It was very peaceful in there and really quiet. 

While mom and I sat waiting for dad (he loves taking photos in grave yards), I got some nice dramatic shots. 

After we finally corralled dad we headed back to Elgin. Dad and I have another swim and then we went to the site pub for dinner (thanks to the lack of fish). But it was tasty so we weren't too disappointed. 

Corfe Castle

One of of the good days we went to Corfe castle which is a ruins near Weymouth. It was destroyed by soldiers during the Civil war in 1646 by Parliamentarians and it must have taken a good deal of fire to bring it down - the walls were incredibly thick. But the original fortification has been there since roughly 1066.

The first time the Parliamentarians tried to take it, the day of the house held them off with a small number of men. They left. The second time they managed to get them out but respected her so much they gave her the keys to the castle on the way out. (Though granted they were pretty useless at this point as it was missing most of its walls.)

Mom just ignores dad.