On the NC500 website they promote it, but I felt it was not made clear enough there that you have to book a tour ahead of time. I was intrigued to see the garden at Dunbeath. The gift shop was lovely, local products and trinkets, and the staff were so bubbly and bright too. What we saw walking through was absolutely beautiful, we could have spent hours wandering around. Not a major issue, we just wish we'd have known so we could spend more time in the gardens. Not once did any seals even look our way, as it should be!īeforehand, we weren't told that we had to pay to get into the actual gardens itself, and we didn't even know we had to get through the gardens to get onto the boat. Saw lots of seals and even some babies, and Jamie was very respectful of their haul out sites, not getting too close and keeping an eye for any signs of distress. We were out for 2 hours and paid £30 each- well worth the money. We visited in May to go on a boat tour of the loch, and it was stunning! The skipper, Jamie, was very informative and had a great knowledge of the seal populations as well as the different species of fish, crustaceans and jellyfish which he brought up in his fishing gear. The gardens, from which the coastal walk can be directly accessed, were an immaculate rosy riot of pinks: the QM's favourite colour, and another stamp of her personality on the place. Gifts from heads of state, official banquet seating plans and visitor's books, and even an informal Easter card from Prince Edward used as a bookmark are all on display.īy necessity, the cafe and gift shop are in a separate modern building. Royalists will be in heaven here, with much of interest on display. Interior photos are banned, but the fridge and equally-ancient plate warmer drew me into lagging behind the rest of my group (tours are limited to 12) and getting a couple of crafty snaps. Evidence of her famous spendthrift ways echo throughout, from the threadbare carpets that she refused to replace even when they became dangerously worn, to the fridge that's much older than I am. From her outfits - alongside photos of her wearing them - to her VHS cassettes of Dad's Army and The Two Ronnies, it's obvious that she enjoyed the long periods of time she spent here. This was the Queen Mother's favourite home, and traces of her can be found in every room. So, one there for the military architecture nerds. These would have provided an extensive field of fire for the breech-loading swivel guns (or 'bases') of the period, which could be operated by a single person. The building dates from the late c.16th, with original gun embrasures on the castle wall, adjacent to the main entrance.
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