As I began my road trip around part of Scotland’s NC 500, I started by visiting Cromarty and the Cromarty Lighthouse.

The original Cromarty Lighthouse was built in 1828 by engineer Robert Stevenson, who was a member of the famous Stevenson lighthouse engineering family.

Through this overpass is The Mormond Hill White Horse, located on the hills near Strichen in Scotland.

The Mormond Hill White Horse is made from white quartz that has been placed into position to make the shape, and is believed to have been carved into the hillside in 1773, possibly to record the visit of Dr Johnson and James Boswell that year

 

The Dyce Symbol Stones are a collection of Pictish and Early Medieval sculptured stones that are housed in a shelter in the ruined St Fergus’s Chapel, Dyce, Aberdeen, Scotland.

The entire area feels so very calm and serene.

~ Bella

The Cullerlie Stone Circle is an ancient megalithic monument situated in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and is one of over 500 stone circles in Scotland!

~ Bella

The Royal Deeside Railway is lovely little heritage railway in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, that operates on a section of the former Deeside Railway line, which was originally built to connect Aberdeen with Ballater.

I had such a lovely time that I created a painting I am giving to the heritage trust.

~ Bella

According to Historic Environment Scotland, the Picardy Symbol Stone is unusual for two reasons:

• it’s one of only a few Pictish carved stones standing in its original spot
• it’s a rare instance of a stone potentially associated with a burial

…and even the drive to get there was glorious!

The Picardy Symbol Stone is carved with the mysterious symbols typical of Pictish stones from this era, dating to about AD 600.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to scamper over the barrier, so below is an image from https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/picardy-symbol-stone/ of the other side of the stone.

~ Bella

Huntly Castle in Scotland was once the ancestral home of the influential Clan Gordon and the Earls of Huntly.

Originally established in the 12th century by Duncan II, Earl of Fife, Huntly Castle evolved over time, witnessing the rise and fall of different noble families. From its early days as the Peel of Strathbogie to its later transformation under the 1st Marquis, Huntly Castle’s architecture reflects the changing eras, from medieval tower houses to the elegant palace interiors of the Jacobean period.

 

~ Bella

Most people know of the iconic red phone boxes in Britain, but few realise that, at least in Scotland, a number of them are now being used as libraries!

~ Bella

Dracula’s Castle in Scotland?  No, to the best of my knowledge, Count Dracula didn’t visit the north east coast of Scotland, but…

Slains Castle, a captivating ruin nestled on the cliffs of Cruden Bay, holds a fascinating connection to Bram Stoker’s iconic character, Dracula.

While it is documented that Stoker never visited Transylvania, it was during his stay in Cruden Bay in 1894 that he is said to have drawn inspiration from the dramatic and tempestuous appearance of Slains Castle during a storm.

Although the road leading to the castle ruins was closed, here at least is a glimpse of the castle…

~ Bella

The Bullers of Buchan is about 6 miles south of Peterhead where I have been staying, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.  The collapsed sea cave forms a circular chasm known as “the pot,” that plunges about 30 meters deep and is adorned with a natural archway through which the sea rushes in.

After passing some more lovely scenery…

…we reach our destination:  Bullers of Buchan.

The dramatic coastal cliffs that provide nesting sites for a plethora of seabird colonies, including puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, razorbills, shags, and guillemots, along with other bird species like herring gulls and great black-backed gulls. Eider ducks and gannets also grace the area with their presence, while grey seals and dolphins can be spotted offshore.

…although, just like when I was in Iceland and everyone around me saw the puffins, alas, all I saw then – and now – were seagulls.  A competent bird-spotter I am not.

~ Bella