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We started off from the Woodside Inn at about 10 am. Anita and RIchard gave us hugs goodbye and we were sorry to leave. They were perfect hosts, like old friends. Anita had reminded about the benefits of cashmere, after noticing how cold I was —(summer in Scotland is much nicer in cashmere!) and found some packing tape to finish packing the framed watercolor I bought yesterday. So, fond farewell until we meet again!

We decided to go up the M90 from Edinburgh across the Queen’s Ferry Bridge toward Perth rather than just laying in a course for Carnoustie. Sorry to disappoint eager readers, but this road meant we’d completely bypass FIfe and St. Andrews. That center of attention and tourism is great on certain trips, but this time, we decided to skip the excitement and stay on lovely, easy driving roads. From Perth (central Scotland), I set the course to the Broughty Ferry Castle. By golly, there’s one we haven’t seen yet! We were set to go back to Glamis Castle which is a classic, gorgeous structure with turrets and great galleries of art, vases of flowers everywhere and a docent who will tell you about ten of the hundreds of ghosts that still haunt certain stairways and back corners. Glamis is a classic great castle, (see Scotland August 24, 2025 for photos on s sparkling day) but they don’t allow any photography at all inside (strictly enforced) and we’ve been there twice already. Scotland has thousands of castles, or at least hundreds, but so many of them are “falling down piles of stone.” We did the “ruined castle tour” three years ago and never set foot inside a proper castle, but took great photos of Tantallon, Direlton, Duffus, and Huntly instead. The architecture can be wonderful, but you need an imagination to see how it all worked. 

Today, we were going to a historical castle that seemed to change hands between the Scots and the English and, as the visitors guide said today, “And still, the English keep on coming!” It was a stronghold with a nice beach and seaside location. Built in 1490, captured by the British in 1547, and modernised in 1860 for defense against the French (Napoleon III was threatening.) The refurbishment was not wasted because the castle was used in defense against the Germans in WWII. 

It was a simple structure with a functioning drawbridge which still uses the original counterweight system for opening and closing the central entrance. It has two stairways and rooms on each floor. It’s a castle in miniature in a lot of ways, simple, basic, and strong. Plus, it guards one of the best beaches in all of Britain!

After a thorough tour, we were off to Carnoustie where we sat in The Rookery overlooking the first tee. What a lovely view, the great expanse of green, the entertainment of group after group teeing it up and going in search…and thinking of all the great events that have happened here.

After a nice time in the spa, we were refreshed enough to be social. I let Kerr know we were here and rested (at last) so he met us for a coupe of drinks downstairs and we got caught up, mostly. Luckily, tomorrow will give us more time to talk. What a lovely destination and endearing friend.  Good night