Dunrobin Castle and beyond

We started our visit to Dunrobin Castle with a falconry display.  The birds are eagle, falcons and hawks.  We watched the falconer command the birds as they swooped over the crowd.  

According to the falconer the peregrine falcon is the fasted animal that has ever lived.  They fly high and fast, 240 mph, using their tails as rudders.  They swoop and hit their prey in the head.  The term “pere” means wanderer.

Jerry tried to get a picture of the falcon in flight and this was the best he could do.  

The falconer spun the “bait” in a small ball over head and the falcon was able to catch it for its dinner.  Very impressive.

 Dunrobin is now privately owned and well kept as a tourist attraction.  The owner, a Duke, lives on site with his family.

Castle philosophy meant having many rooms, each with its own purpose.  The dining room looked ready for a several course dinner.

The Duke had an impressive library and bedroom.

The view of the gardens from the master bedrooms were not bad.

The Seamstress’ Room is “haunted.”  An early Duke allegedly held a young woman there trying to get her to marry him.  She attempted to flee down a rope to the ground but he cut the rope and “she has been in the room yelling as she fell ever since.”

We rode by a castle (on a hill of course).  The late occupant was the widow of a Duke.  She was a commoner but he loved her.  After his death and a legal battle, she was given the rights to an estate.  She had it built overlooking the railroad tracks that his family had to pass in their travels.  

 She wouldn’t give them the time of day and had three clocks on the tower, but none on the side they could see.  They accused her of using one of the rooms for drug orgies.

Our next stop was for a scotch tasting.  Jeff & Jerry enjoyed a variety of tastes and Jeff decided that the most expensive one had to be brought home.  He's waiting for loan approval..

We ended the tour with a visit to the Hairy Coo, the favorite pet of the Scottish.