Nairn and Cawder Castle

 

Nairn is a historic fishing town.  It's about 17 miles east of Inverness.  It has beautiful beaches.  We didn't go into the town.  We needed our salty sea air fix, and we were close.  Nairn is on the mouth of Nairn River and the North Sea.  It was kind of weird there.  The wind did not blow.  Here at home, the wind never stops.  It just wasn't like that there.  When you get to the ocean here, you can really smell the salty air.  It wasn't' strong there at all. It was very beautiful though.  A lovely relaxing time at the beach. 

I found some of the smallest shells I'd ever seen.  There are beautiful rocks there. Madeline and I were looking for agates.  She had better luck than I did.  But she knew what she was looking for. 

I wrote my name in the sand of Scotland.  Then stood there and watched the waves take it away.  

Madeline and I were looking for ice-cream at the beach. There were signs for it.  But... It was very cold and a school day.  So no ice-cream at the beach.  Bummer  

Our host at the hotel we stated at suggested that we go to the Cawder Castle.  When we got there, I was a little castled out at that point.  This one isn't in ruins.  I was pleased.  We headed in and I was excited.  It was staged so you could really get a feel for it.  As I wondered though I just kept thinking how beautiful it was inside there.  As we were nearing the end of the tour, (just us walking through) The lady that was standing there, I'm sure to tell people to stop touching things.  We stood there talking to her and she said next week we close for the season.  Then the runners get rolled up and the ropes come down and the Dowager Cawder will move back in.  My mouth hit the floor.  This is someone's HOME?  Yes, it is.  The Dowager moves back in, in the off season.  I said by herself?  The guide said Well with her day staff of course.  I thought, well sure, as one does.  LOL I just loved the thought of this women, a mother, grandmother and a great grandmother having Sunday dinner with all her people gathered there and the little ones just running around the CASTLE!  Then I wanted to go back through and open cupboard doors.  I'm sure that would have been frowned upon.  

It took me a minute to figure out those are guns. 

When they updated the kitchen to a modern one, the longtime cook/kitchen manager quit.  She didn't want them messing with stuff. 

I think because it is actually someone's home, this castle is my favorite.  I still am tickled by the fact that the Dowager Cawder still lives in the family home. 

Peace