Clava Cairns

It was back along the Moray Firth towards Culloden and the Clava Cairns today. Having missed the Corrimony Cairns yesterday, I was determined not to miss these:-)

We arrived just as a couple of coach loads of foreign tourists were leaving, so we thought we had the place to ourselves - until we spotted these three women inside one of the cairns (strictly against the rules - no climbing on the stones!) This cairn is the only one missing its roof and quite what they were doing is anyone's guess:-) By the sounds of their (overheard) conversation when they climbed out again, they were experiencing the "energy" within the cairn. Were they Wiccans (white witches), Druids or some other believers? Who knows - but I did like their capes!!

The cairns are in a lovely, peaceful setting and reminded us so strongly of the similar ones we'd seen at Kilmartin Glen on a previous holiday.

We continued driving along the coast to Ardersier, partly because I was hoping to visit a pottery there. I'd seen the work of the potter at the recent Potfest at Scone Palace, but hadn't been able to get near as it was so popular. I saw from her card she was based near Inverness, so thought I'd pay her a visit. Unfortunately, nobody in Ardersier had heard of her and she obviously disn't have a gallery open to the public, so that plan came to nought:-) Instead, we visited the Cheese Pantry and had a delicious lunch comprising a cheese platter, with pickle and crackers and bought some cheeses to bring home!

Then it was on to Nairn, where we had the wind-swept and drizzly beach to ourselves and just hoped it was much busier on a nice day when the schools were on holiday.

Next stop was Brodie Castle, a National Trust for Scotland property which was an absolute delight. One of the nicest guides we've had anywhere made the visit even more enjoyable, with stories and anecdotes about the original owners which really brought the building to life. It was rather strange (after our recent visit to Culloden) to discover that the victorious Duke of Cumberland had spent the night there before the Battle, the Brodies being very much on the Royalist side.

Another perchance detour (it was that sort of day!) took us to Findhorn and a short walk along the lovely sandy beach at Burghead Bay, by which time we were ready for our seafood meal at a local hostelry:-) A roundabout route back to Inverness took us through various woods and forests and gave a different aspect to that of the coast. There really is so much to see and do in this lovely area:-)