A bit of a late start today, loads of fun to have live band below you in the evening, but the first stop of the day was worth the wait.

Cawdor Castle if similar to Blair Castle from yesterday in that it started life as a tower house. Just like Blair Castle, it was extensively modified by successive generations. The differences are apparent once you begin touring the castle. It is much warmer and welcoming and less formal and cold. The write-ups in each room are fantastic and funny. I spent my time chuckling from room to room. I later found out that the last Earl wrote all of the room descriptions himself. I can only imagine that he would have been fun to know.

The castle is surrounded by award winning gardens, #1 in Scotland apparently. They are very impressive and a wonderful walk with a wide variety of flowers.

Cawdor Castle is now on my ‘must see’ list of Scotland! It’s right up there with Stirling Castle of my favorite Scottish Castles.

After Cawdor, I made a quick stop at Beauly Priory but only spent a very short time there as there was not much to see.

Next I made and unexpected stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge, good luck pronouncing it. I saw it as I was making my way to Ullapool and, as I had plenty of time, I decided to make a slight detour. The Gorge has a suspension bridge that crosses over the more than 300 foot drop. The bridge does move a from side to side a bit, loads of fun while looking down, and only allows a maximum of six people on it at a time.

Truly impressive sight and worth it even if you don’t like heights, just hold on tight to the rail!

A long drive tomorrow up to the northern most tip of mainland Scotland. Supposedly, some of the most beautiful driving in Scotland.