Members of the Royal Family at the Braemar Gathering 2 Sep 2006

I travelled with friends Bob and Maria Spence from Florida to the Braemar Gathering. we drove over the mountains from Glenlivet to Braemar and then enjoyed the games in company with our American cousins from Texas and my brother Alastair and his wife Angela from Fortingall near Aberfeldy. The rain held of the Games were very exciting. At 3 p.m. precisely the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Duchess of Rothesay, Princess Anne and Tim Laurence arrived and were welcomed by the Duke of Fife and John Duff. Our group were very excited to see the Royal Family and to learn of John Duff as President of the Braemar Society, as the group are all members of the Clan MacDuff society of America.

Castle Menzies near Aberfeldy Perthshire

Early evening lighting and the barley field add to the wonderful colour of the stone in this ancient castle. The Z shaped part is 12th century. The left part is more modern with a ballroom. The castle is open to the public.

Sunset over Aberlour

This is the time of year for stunning sunsets. I watched and photographed this one developing over a 30 minute period. It has not been retouched in any way. 

Massed Pipe Bands at Grantown on Spey Highland Games

Grantown on Spey close to the river Spey is host to friendly games the last Sunday in August every year. The 2006 games had sunshine and thunder showers, but the bands carried on regardless. 

Travels with my camera in Scotland and Beyond: Cairngorm Mountain Railway

Travels with my camera in Scotland and Beyond: Cairngorm Mountain Railway

Bluebells are one of my favourite scottish wildflowers and were seen in profusion on banks and in woodlands this year 

Cairngorm Mountain Railway

If you want to see the stunning views from the Cairngorm mountains then this train to the top is a quick and easy way to get there. The train goes up the mountain all year round and is very busy is the sking season.

Fingal's Cave Island of Staffa

Fingal's Cave on the island of Staffa can be visited from Iona or Mull. The basalt coloums are the same as at the Giant's Causeway and are on a ley line from the Callanish Stones on Isle of Lewis. Geology and prehistory all connected?

Dunluce Castle on North Coast

Dunluce Castle in late evening. This is close to the Giant's Causeway and is a very spectacular spot. The cliff is not very safe as 100 years ago the kitchen area disappeared into the sea.

Giant's Causeway

The hexaganol pieces are fascinating and stand out really well in the evening light

Holiday in Ireland - Giant's Causeway

Northern Ireland is a fascinating country to travel around. I really enjoyed visiting the Giant's Causeway and all along the North coast.

The Yellow on the Broom at Bridgend of Glenlivet

The packhorse bridge crosses the river Livet. The trees look very green and bright. Spring has been very late in Glenlivet this year.

Ballindalloch Castle from the rock garden

The rock garden is full of colour at all times of year, but my favourite time is late May and early June when all the colours seem very vivid.

Travels with my camera

Travels with a camera

Ballindalloch Castle path to the rose garden

Walking along the path to the rose garden with the colourful plants and trees on both sides is a joy. Love the pattern made on the path by the sunlight shining through the trees

One of many beautiful rhodedenrons in Ballindalloch Castle gardens

Another beautiful sunny and warm day in the Aberlour area. It is lovely to walk in the gardens at Ballindalloch castle and to enjoy the wonderful selection of rhodenendrons. 

Monday 12 June 2006

Stunning sunrise at 0420 this morning. I could not resist photographing it. The view is to Ben Aigan which is near Aberlour in North East Scotland