As we look back over our photos from this year, we realize that there were several experiences from early last fall that we never recorded permanently here on our little web diary.  We’re sharing them now for a few reasons.  We want to preserve the memories, of course, but we also have some family coming to visit in the next few months, and perhaps some of them will want to go and see some of these same sights.

Hill of Tarvit

Our first road trip was to the Hill of Tarvit Mansion and Garden.  One of the most memorable things about it is that it was one of the first times we rented an e-car (perhaps even the first) and thus was also our first experience driving on the wrong side of the road (and of the car).  Wider roads would have been easier to learn on, but we’re sort of out in the country here, so we dipped our tire in the ditch a few times but got where we needed to go.

The hill is a modern mansion built on the site of a 17th century house and has extensive, beautiful grounds.  It’s maintained by the National Trust for Scotland, so anyone can go and see it.  (If you join the National Trust, it’s free to go.)  It was less than a half-hour drive from St Andrews.

Kellie Castle

We also visited Kellie Castle, parts of which were built in the 14th century, but which has been updated since then.  This was the closest of the historic homes we visited, just about 20 minutes from our home in St Andrews.

One of the interesting things about the castle is its garden, from which they sell the produce extremely cheaply.

Falkland Palace

The final of the nearby historical places we visited was Falkland Palace, renovated by Stuarts in the 16th century and loved by Mary Queen of Scots.  It has tapestries, its own chapel, extensive grounds with a willow labyrinth, and one of the country’s first tennis courts.

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