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CHAS’
&
RUBY’s
2006
UK
TOUR

Saturday, June 3rd: DALHOUSIE CASTLE

Internet pic of Gifford House Breakfast Room

We began our day enjoying a
scrumptious
Scottish Breakfast
at our Edinburgh lodging:
The GIFFORD
HOUSE B&B.

Ruby commented on how much she enjoyed
the Mustard Sauce served with her dinner the
night before at the Ceilidh-Donia B&B’s restaurant.
[Ruby had gone there at our Hostess’ suggestion!]

Upon hearing Ruby’s comment,
Margaret (o’ the Gifford House) called
Annette (o’ the Ceilidh-Donia), and asked her
about the mustard they used for their sauce.
That conversation lead us to discovering

the PERFECT HALF-POINT STOP
for the SEVEN-hour-long
LAST DRIVE of our TRIP (on Sunday)!

Again! I ADORE B&Bs – primarily because of situations such as the one described above.
How many HOTEL owners would call another HOTEL owner to chat them up and find out
what kind of Mustard they used to create their sauces?

Exactly.

NADA.

Our next stop was only a “15 to 20 minute” drive South of the Gifford House,
and our check-in time wasn’t until 2:30 pm. CHAS had a “HACKING”
appointment at 2:15 pm, though. So we planned to arrive a little bit early, anyway.
Our Itinerary stipulated us SHOPPING or fussing about in Edinburgh
for a few hours in the morning, before heading to our next stop around noon.
However! After breakfast, RUBY opined that she’d just as soon head to
our next stop “early” – rather than do any more shopping in Edinburgh.
(GASP! Ruby voluntarily declined SHOPPING!)

I’m sooooo glad that RUBY had us head to our next stop earlier!

We had a TINY problem finding the road that led there – a couple of times.
Oh, OKAY! Three or Four times. LOL
So, it took us about an HOUR to get there.
WE GOT THERE! That’s a “WIN” in my book!

“WHERE was THERE???” Ye might ask!

Dalhousie Castle – that’s WHERE!!!

Pronounced “Dal – HOW – sie”, the Original Bitz o’ this Castle are over 850 years old!

YUP. Ruby had booked us to LODGE in ANOTHER CASTLE!

Can we say “I LUV RUBY!”???

I think we CAN! LOL

As you approach Dalhousie Castle, you drive by the outdoor area where the
Dalhousie Falcons [Hawks, Buzzards, Eagles and/or Owls] are tethered
when not inside their MEWS, or being flown to HUNT bunnies and such!

“Falconry has returned to Dalhousie Castle at the award-winning on-site mews, just 2 minutes walk from the Castle itself. Dalhousie Castle Falconry provides a selection of exciting falconry packages within the Castle grounds, as well as Hunting with Hawks days in the Scottish countryside.
We are pleased to offer a selection of specialized packages for weddings and corporate groups, such as Wedding Ring Deliveries by OWL[!] ... There’s also a Five Day Falconry Course for those falconry enthusiasts who would like to keep and work their own birds.”

“Over the years [Dalhousie Castle] has had many distinguished visitors. Edward I stayed here before defeating William Wallace at the battle of Falkirk. Henry IV unsuccessfully besieged it for six months [in 1400], and Oliver Cromwell took it in 1648. [Musket shot from that battle is still embedded in the outer walls.] More welcome visitors include Queen Victoria, who took tea at the castle in 1840, and Sir Walter Scott, a close friend of the 9th Earl.”

Upon entering the
front door of
Dalhousie Castle,
Hotel and Aqueous Spa
you are presented with
the option of going
DOWN a few steps to
the “Reception” area,
or UP either of TWO
sweeping staircases that lead to
the Castle’s “QUARTERDECK”
– a landing that sports an
incredible ceiling with a
SPECTACULAR
SKYLIGHT!