Its a gorgeous fairy tale town, with a medieval wall surrounding the upper part, and loads of tiny little boutique stores, delicatessens, cheese shops, fruit shops and a big emphasis on local produce.

The castle is at the top of the hill, and we are staying in the self catering apartments inside the castle wall.

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Tomorrow, we're taking the train to Cardiff, because Mark doesn't want to deal with anymore narrow roads than we have to, and also I've never taken a train across Wales. I'm excited!

Although, I'm sad that Torchwood is obviously not filming right now. I'll find a way to entertain myself. Possibly by standing on the sidewalk in front of the Millennium Center. ;) And shopping. And visiting Cardiff Castle.

The first time we went to St Andrews, it was TERRIBLE. It was raining, windy, cold and miserable. I barely got any photos that came out, and we decided to hit it again on the way back. It was kind of cool to see it all empty and moody, but it was so beautiful without the wind whipping at our faces and the rain stinging our eyes.



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PS, FOUR hours until I go to the airport!!!

The castle sits high on the hill over Edinburgh, standing sentinel for several centuries.


Hee. I'm twelve.

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View of Edinburgh from the Castle.

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From the Speyside region, we went over to Inverness and after a quick stop off for a sandwich, we went on to the storied and fantastical Loch Ness.

We stopped several times along the way, once to see the movie at the Loch Ness Discovery Center, in which the basic theme of "there's no monster, dammit!" resounded, and several times to take photos. Oh, and once to catch our breath after almost colliding with a truck head on at high speed because he just HAD to pass that sedan.

It was a picture perfect day, and probably our best day in Scotland.



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I love ruined castles. I almost love them more than still standing castles, because my imagination rebuilds it for me and I see it the way it was, before it crumbles back to the way it stands now.

Balvenie Castle stands on the hill above Glenfiddich, looking out over Dufftown and the highlands, a silent witness.



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