In late October we went to Ballindalloch Castle for a 3 night stay and a Pheasant Shoot along with Anita and Tom (aka. Nanny and PawPaw...my mother and father in law), and some of their friends. It was a 1.5 hour drive from Aberdeen, so not too far and a nice little getaway for Jon and I. Ballindalloch Castle is one of the very few privately owned castles to have been lived in continuously by its original family. It is one of Scotland's most romantic castles, set in the magnificent surroundings of the Spey Valley and know as "The Pearl of the North". The old tower on the grounds dates from the early 16th century. Each morning we were woken up by a Scottish bagpiper playing out the window. After breakfast in the dining room, the men would head out for a pheasant shoot in the fields and the ladies would suit up in the traditional hunting attire to watch them. We would have a delicious Scottish lunch in the dining room and then back out for another shoot in the afternoon. In the evening we would all meet in the Drawing room for a drink before dinner. Dinner began with a bagpiper dressed in full kilt attire leading us into the dining room each evening. We had a wonderful time with Anita and Tom. It was such a great experience to stay in a 16th century castle and be a part of a traditional Scottish pheasant shoot.
Ballindalloch Castle
Ballindalloch Castle
The Tulip Room - The bedroom where Jon and I stayed
The Magnificent Dining Room - where we ate Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The Gardens outside the Castle
Heading out for our First Shoot
Anita and Tom
Looking for Pheasant
Jon and his Gunloader
Jon
Tom, Anita, Jon and I
The whole Group
Sheep in the Field where we were shooting
All the men lined up to shoot
Jon
lots of pheasants in the sky here
Jon and Anita
Gardens
Gate to the Castle
Dinner Entrance led by a Bagpiper
Drawing Room before Dinner
The Laird of Ballindalloch and her husband Oliver Russell's invitations to the Royal Wedding
Day 2 shoot
Claire Macpherson - Laird of Ballindalloch and me. Claire inherited the Castle and is the Queen's representative for her area. She was very sweet and often enjoyed lunch and dinner with her company.
Drawing Room before dinner
Dinner in the Dining Room
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