(Scotland) Castle Fraser: a Scottish castle stands in 300acres landscape grounds

Decided to killing time waiting for Iftar, Mu'adz and I went to another castle and this one is even closer to our house, only 33 minutes drive / 16 miles from Aberdeen city centre.

When we arrived there, the car park was quite full. Castle Fraser, stands over 300acres of grounds not only offering the castle itself but also a walled garden, adventure playground sites, indoor cafe, walking trail/ woodland complete with lots of long bench -perfect for a lunch picnic and a farmland.

The castle was build in 2 stages. Dates back to first being built in 1454 when the Fraser family was granted the land in exchange for Thomas Fraser’s land at Cornton and later completed in 1636 by Michael Fraser, the 6th Laird.The castle has since been renovated several times then in 1976 it handed over to National Trust for Scotland until now.

The Walled Garden in the grounds surrounding the castle is something not to be missed. Colorful flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables complete with cute white sitting area in each 4 sides where you can sit here and enjoying the view towards the castle.

CASTLE FRASER NOTES (May 2019)

• Parking £3
• Disabled parking: Available
• Castle entry prices £12 (for adults)
• Castle opening hour: Easter - Oct only. (10:15-15:15)
• Walled garden: free
• Garden & grounds opening hour: All year (10:00-15:00)
• Toilets: available
• Shop & cafes: available at the ground of the castle
• Walled garden and adventure playground available with lots of chairs for picnic

(Scotland) Footdee: a Quaint little Fisherman's Village by the Aberdeen Beach

A month ago, my friend and I went to Footdee (or Fittie, in local's language). It took around 15 minutes by bus from my house (use Bus #15 from Aberdeen city centre to Beach Esplanade area and stopped at York Street, just infront of Fittie Area)

Located just by the beach, this quaint looking village full of rows of uniform cottage from the mid 19th century. It was John Smith -the local architect who also build Balmoral Castle, that designed & concepted the place back in 1809.

As we walk in the lane, we can see that this lane is devided the main cottage and it's shed in the other side. While both the cottage & shed similar in size, the design is different from one to another owner. very colorful, vibrant and quirky, love it..!

The famous shed of Footdee

A very colorful shed

If you walk until the end of the road of Footdee and wander around sea front you will then end up just in a park near by the beach. And if you continue to walk, you'll then find the Aberdeen Harbour.

The park by the beach 

(Scotland) Craigievar Castle: a dreamy pink Scottish castle

Situated only 40minutes drive from Aberdeen city centre, this picturesque castle nestled around hills, greens & countryside scenery. Once arrive, there's parking lot cost £3 for 3 hours (pay with coins only, so provide coins). We wander around outside the castle first, amazed by the scenery. Once said, this castle was the inspiration of Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle (more like Rapunzel castle to me..!)

To be able to go inside the castle is by guided tours only whose available every 20 minutes with max 10 people per tour. Luckly for us, we immediately can join the group of 7 right after we bought our ticket (its £13 / person), the tour itself lasts for around 45-50 minutes.

We can't take a picture while inside the castle, which is understandable since this place is one of Scotland historical building that owned and maintained by the NTS - National Trust for Scotland that before, the Forbes family was resided here for 350 years until 1960.

We (me & Mu'adz) really enjoyed this 7 stories tower tour, we made into all the rooms inside completed with the background story and all of this Scotland tale is so new to us.
-So now we knew that every 'clan' has their own tartan design & colour. 1 design is for hunting/ casual kilt and 1 is for the wedding. (here, the Forbes Clan's tartan is blue & turqouise color)
-Did you know the Forbes word clan came from? long time ago, no one can lives in this area because of the bears, then the founder of this clan killed all the 4 (four) bears. Four Bears = Forbes.

After the tour ended, we picked one of the picnic table seat outside and eat our lunch brought from home. There's also a snack shop near the picnic tables, btw.

CRAIGIEVAR CASTLE NOTES (May 2019)

• Parking: £3 for three hours (coins only)
• Tour inside the castle, Adult: £13.00
• Walking outside the forest / picnic table: free
• Toilet (near parking lot)
• Opening hours: 10:30 - 16:00
• Close in Oct-March
• Check weather forecast; it's Scotland..!
• The stair inside the castle is quite steep.