Cawdor Castle

Another new place for us today and we had the most enjoyable and interesting time. There was a walled garden containing a holly maze (sadly no longer open to the public) and an orchard with some laden apple trees. The flower garden on the other side of the castle was laid out in a variety of different areas, each with its own theme, and in each was a different sculpture in either metal or stone and sometimes a combination of the two.
Inside the castle it felt very comfortable and like a home, unlike any other castle or stately home I have visited. Apparently Lady Angelica Cawdor lives there for half the year over winter and uses the rooms that we walked through today.
It was great that Bertie was allowed to come with us into the gardens and the cafe. Only while we were in the castle did he have to wait in the van.
We finished our day with a walk through Cawdor Big Wood which surrounds the castle and contains majestic specimens of various trees, including many oaks, hundreds of years old.