I woke up early to hang out my laundry, as it was going to be a sunny and windy day. The windy part I underestimated, and had to use twice the number of clothes pins to secure my sheets. But I knew it would be worth it when I crawled into my clean and fresh-smelling bed.
John arrived at 9:30 a.m. First stop, an 800-year old church in the town of Bourtie. This was a sweet church that had undergone significant changes in its many years, from a catholic space to a protestant one (and of course all the severity of the reformation too). The building was small and locked, so we wandered the graveyard and enjoyed the names of the residents. My favorite surname was Lumsden; it was also the most frequent name we saw. The second most interesting surname was Duguid (pronounced Ju-ked), although I wonder if it was originally "Do Good"--a distant relative of Dudley Doright, perhaps? Innes was the best first name. Coincidently, I just read a book with a character whose name was Innes, so that was fun. (I would recommend The Hand That First Held Mine, by Maggie O'Farrell as a pretty interesting read).
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Simple stone face. Note the patch work under the
spherical ornamentation? I would guess it once
displayed a cross.
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| Yep, right in this tree. |
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| John is so excited for finding the key! I was too! |
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Check the size of this key. My hands are really large--yet note
the comparison
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And we were in!
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Inside was a small square hall, big enough to seat maybe 100 people.
We also discovered this couple, set up as if they were taking registry of
visitor's names. They were Sir Thomas and Lady de Longneville, friends
of both William Wallace and Robert the Bruce! This may be a small
community, but it was well connected, for sure.
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| View of Bourtie Kirk from the road |
Then we visited two stone circles. The first one in a farmer's field with a stunning view of Bennachie (reputed location of a Roman/Scots battle) in the distance.
The second circle, called the Loanhead of Daviot was along the edge of a field, but in area designated just for the circle. I love walking through the sheep-gates, by the way.
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Part of the circle, one standing stone and the recumbent stone. Bennachie
in the distance.
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| Loanhead of Daviot Recumbent Stone Circle |
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I love the stunning, visual contrasts of the rolling fields
of Aberdeenshire.
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Finally, we visited a Pictish marker called the Maiden Stone--so called because it depicts among other interesting carvings one of a mirror and a comb. I certainly know many a man who spends more time coiffing his hair than I do, but I will keep my unwelcome feminist-opinions to my self. The stone carvings have suffered in the wind and the rain, some gone completely, others with only a hint of the outline. Even so, the carvings were stunning--elaborate, intricate, inventive, and skilled!
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This is the Maiden Stone. The mirror and comb are
in the bottom panel.
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So we saw all of these feasts-for-the-eyes in under a ten-mile radius from my little home. I totally I enjoyed the local tour guide's commentaries as the best part. Thanks, John.
After all the wind and the sun, we had worked up an appetite so we headed to the Red Garth for a hot meal and a pint. The Thrappledouser from the Inveralmond brewery was the winner--hoppy, flavorful, and creamy. delicious. Sorry, no pictures of lunch or the beer. I was too busy enjoying.
After my nap, I wrote two letters of recommendation for students back in the states, did a little travel research for Andy's big Scottish Adventure (I cannot believe he will be here in less than 14 days), and did some house work. All in all a pretty successful Saturday!
Oh, and I was right. My sheets smelled like the sky and lulled me to a very peaceful sleep.
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