Gamma and Gampa Visit -Halloween in Scotland

Gamma and Gampa (my mom and dad) came to visit us just in time for Halloween! We visited Crathes Castle to look at the pretty fall colors. The next day, after some pumpkin carving we all met up with the Hollis family for some trick or treating. In Scotland it is expected that the trick or treaters tell a joke or do a trick at each door. The boys had lots of fun racing from house to house and I think Gamma and Gampa enjoyed watching them. Us adults all had a laugh at the boys trying to remember the jokes we taught them!

Visit to Glamis Castle

Highland Cows

Ballindalloch Castle Pheasant Shoot

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

 Hallway to the bedroom

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