Castle Fraser. Inverurie, Scotland

Sunday afternoon at the Fraser castle was perfectly perfect in every way. Such a beautiful place with tons of fun things for kids. Darling features like this tiny ice house pictured below.

Love this exterior. I know half my posts about Scotland involve a castle. I swear there is magic in the air when you visit one, it is totally addictive seeing these old structures and learning about what castle life is all about. I really love it here. But, what I love about America- Diet coke from the fountain and high power washer and dryers. Both of those things are missing in Europe. Although I could go without them for a few more weeks............

Slains castle, Cruden Bay

This castle was unreal. Seriously one of my favorite things I have ever seen. Slains castle is a huge ruined castle built clear back int he 1500's. It is absolutely nuts to me that it is even still around, although in ruins. It is said that this castle is the inspiration for Bram Stokers' book Dracula. We had the best time there, the kids loved running around and imagining where the princess slept when it was still a fancy castle. I can not get over the view of the North sea that surrounds most of the castle. The castle is literally on the edge of the cliff, had to be careful as to not let any of us fall off to our deaths. This place is also pretty creepy. so many nooks and cranny and creepy dark corners.

So many cool spots.

Me and Deacon in what I imagine was once the ballroom or something extravagant.

This is the view off on side of the castle. Amazing.

It was a long walk to the castle, at least two miles of tons of mud. So worth the crazy walk. Miriam loved the walk, Deacon loved most of the walk and Evie hated every second so Raymond carried her all the way there and back. That's a workout.

I loved the creepy stairs, I did not get any great photos because I had to hurry and save the kids from climbing up the stairs that abruptly end. Cute castle family. And Deacon running his guts out.

A pair of Wellie boots to call my own! Thank goodness I had these for this walk, otherwise I would have been a muddy mess.

Another beautiful shot of the sea. Too bad Angie was not there to adequately capture how cool this place was.

Because the castle is surrounded by sea it is near impossible to get a great shot. This is the best I got, it is something you really have to see to believe. Raymond was the only one who has been to this castle before so it was fun for us all to be blown away together.

This is the first little inlet to the sea as you are walking. Also your first chance to fall into the sea if you are not careful.

Me and my sister. So fun to be here and spend time with her family. Almost as fun as seeing all the cool stuff. Just kidding, I think.

Springtime in Scotland

Spring sprung while I was in Norway! We celebrated by seeing another (shocker!) castle. It seems like it would get old to see castle after castle, not one bit. Each castle is so unique and detailed and so old, the oldness is what makes these buildings so incredible.

I particularly liked this castle, Drum castle because it was so charming and quaint.

It had the most darling courtyard where they have a little cafe or you can have events there. I loved the mossy courtyard walls.

And these little steps leading into the castle from the courtyard, adorable.

And who does not love the first flowers of the spring? I love these snowdrops. So sad our time here is almost over but we are cramming ever ounce of fun in we can. Get ready for some good posts! I know you are holding your breath, breathe easy they are coming.

Reunited!

And it feels so good!

After being in London and Norway for eight days I was so so ready and excited to see Deacon. In four more days our world travels will be over. Boo. But so good to come home and see Daddy!

Name that house

Did you know that it is a British practice to name your house? I am in love with this tradition and am promptly naming my house when I get home, Algrace. ALbert for Albert Curtis' grandpa who originally owned the house and GRACE for his grandmother who owned it as well. That is one way to name your house. Now someone make me a plaque to display on the front pronto.



This is the house I am buying and living here forever, the blue trim? I die! So darling.

And its name is Roseville, forget about it, I am in love.

This is Amelia's original country house they first lived in. It was seriously out in the country. Only animals for neighbors.

Another cute little named house. Very adorable very quaint.

Haddo House

We went to a absolutely stunning manor house today called Haddo house. It looks like it is straight out of a Jane Austen novel.The bonus was that there was a playground on the grounds so Deacon and Evie also had a great time. They both keep yelling for me to push them higher.

This is Deacon when I told him we were almost to the playground.

There were little pet graves all over the grounds stating the pets name and age. I thought this one was very charming.

They also had a statue for one families beloved dogs. Deacon loved this statue and gave the dogs hugs.

Look at these two cuties, although Deacon is trying to escape but they really love each other. And once again those boots are the best thing I could have ever bought.

This is the view of the grounds from the top of the stairs. I love the way the grounds are kept and how they stretch out forever.

This is a 400 year old tree, I can hardly believe it is still standing. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert planted the two tallest trees when they were visiting. Some trees were planted in the 1600s amazing.

I do some of my best thinking on the steps of the Haddo house.

Deacon playing on the front lawn throwing pebbles in the fountain.

This is the front view, isnt it so beautiful? I love everything about this place.

Fyvie Castle

Today we went t a haunted house I mean castle. It was spectacular. I keep being blown away by how historic/old and beautiful this country is. I peeked into one of the windows and instantly got creeped out, then Amelia informed me that the castle is indeed haunted. One of the ghosts is called the Green lady and she is the ex wife of Sir Alexander Seton Couse. He starved her to death because he wanted to marry her cousin. On their honeymoon night it is said that the green lady scratched her name on the window of the honeymoon suite, you can still see it today! If you look online there are tons of creepy ghost stories about this castle. You can actually rent a room in this castle like a hotel, I will not be doing that on my stay. The detail on this castle is so cool to me. It looks just like a classic castle. Inside there are tons of beautiful painting, suits of armor and incredible furnishings.

The grounds stretch for miles and are so green. The trees are amazing.

Isnt this so beautiful? But also gives you the creepy feeling too, right?

Once again, love the details.

Especially this gigantic door knocker. I loved this so much and made sure to try it out.

Deacon is totally enamered with castles now, he loves running on the huge sprawling lawns.

Hoodles!

We took the kids to a great big grand indoor playground called Hoodles. It was so awesome and completely adorable. While the kids play the grownups can order hot chocolate and a variety of delicious treats. This place was a hit with the kids they loved every second of it. One of the things I love so much about Scotland is all the kids accents. I need to post a video soon of my nieces talking you will love it. PS. Isn't the name Hoodles HILARIOUS? Amelia said to Deacon today when he was having a fit "better be good if you want Hoodles and hot dogs!" I laughed for AGES! (something my niece Evie says "It is taking for AGES!") So happy to be here. Deacon desperately needed to refuel after running around. He drank 1/2 this juice box in one swig.

They had the cutest buckets where you picked 5 kid friendly items and made your own little kids meal, loved that.

It is hard to tell who had the most fun going down this slide, Deacon me or Miriam.
Look how pink all the kids cheeks are! They definitely had a great time.

Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven Scotland

The sea the castle is on. The kids loved throwing rocks into the water.

The view out to sea was beautiful and since it was surrounded by huge hills it was actually pretty warm down by the water.

You have to walk down millions of stairs to get to the ruins of the castle, a pretty hard fete with two toddlers but totally worth it.

Another view down by the sea. I love the rock beach, so different than anything in America.

Thank goodness I (Delta airlines) bought these boots (wellies) for Deacon. They are perfect for the weather here and perfect for playing on this beach.

This is a wall on the inside of the castle. It is amazing to me that the whole thing is made completely out of stone. The exterior is covered in nests birds have made in the cracks.

This view is amazing. I love the castle ruins in the background. Now you can see really how crazy it is that someone had to carry all the rocks to the top of the hill in order to build the castle on the hill. The castle was used to keep prisoners of wars so that they could not escape since it is on the sea. I would love to have seen how amazing the castle was when it was actually a castle.