UK Trip - Day 11

Today we are headed to Glasgow. But instead of taking the fastest route, we decided to take the longer but more scenic route to Aberdeen and then going to Glasgow through St. Andrew, Perth and Stirling.

This scenic road took us through  Moray and the Malt Whiskey Trail on Glenlivet Estate. This is the whiskey distillery district. All the distilleries are located here. Local whiskey makers make their whiskey and send them here to be distilled. 

Our first stop was Dunnottar Castle. Yes, another damn castle. Because unlike me who is happy to hear history, rather than actually be at the place if the sight is not impressive, Greg has to see, breathe and inhale every musty corner of history. 

He had been stopping pretty much every rabble and ruin stating how important they are in Scottish History. Which is fine. But I am happy to hear why it is important. I don't have to see the pile of stones personally. So I opted for sleeping in the car in some of them which didn't interest me. 

However, this Castle turned out to be worth the trip for the views. Perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, it was a gorgeous sight. Then there's the historical significance which is also pretty interesting.

This Castle was initially built in early middle ages, but most of the buildings were built in 15th to 17th century. Because of its strategic location and defensive strength this Castle played an important part in Jacobite rising. 

But it is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century. 

The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. 

But the minister's wife saved the Scottish Crown jewels by hiding it in her bed and then sending it away with the help of a friend/maid/fishwife not sure which one is right version. 

I'd have enjoyed the castle more if 1. It was not super windy and 2. It was not the site of gruesome murder and torture of innocent civilians whose only fault was to refuse to consider the King as the head of their church. Funny how religion or power or both are always the root of all atrocities committed in the world. 

Anyhoo, after the castle, we went on our way to Glasgow with a stop at Perth to have dinner. 

For us, there's not much to see or do in Glasgow other than may be visiting the museum. The reason we chose Glasgow as base because everything is easily accessible from there and also has a lot of options to eat. Just in case we are late in returning back to town, we won't be starving.

In this last leg of the road, we decided to blow our budget to luxury accommodation and comfortable travel. 

So we are staying in Fraser Suites in Glasgow as opposed to AirBnB and taking first class train to London. 

Don't get me wrong. Our experience had been great with AirBnB. But we wanted the pampering experience in our last days. 

Next two days we will explore Glasgow and Stirling before heading over to London.