NC 500 - Dunnottar Castle
This is the first of several blogs that will cover a trip I made with my brother in the summer of 2019, long before we were hit with the horrors of COVID-19. We drove from Edinburgh up the east coast of Scotland, along the north and then back down the west coast before crossing inland and back to Edinburgh. Effectively, we drove the famous NC500 route. With some minor tweaks.
A slight disclaimer in that Dunnottar Castle is not on the official NC500 route, but it fitted in kinda nicely with our journey up from Edinburgh and it was somewhere that my brother suggested we visit - and to be fair to the big lad, it was a cracking suggestion. Also, it gave us the opportunity to have a night in Grantown-on-Spey, a a lovely Highland town where I was able to catch up with an old friend - indeed, one of my early bosses from many years ago. Using road trips like this to catch up with old friends or family adds an extra something special, I think.
If the NC500 does interest you, there is a “Rough Guide” book you may want to look into - prior research into this trip will help you make the most of the experience - there really is a lot to see and do, in addition to the wonderful scenery.
The Rough Guide to the North Coast 500 (Compact Travel Guide) (Rough Guides)
For more general photography around Scotland, I would recommend these…
Photographing Scotland: A photo-location and visitor guidebook
The Photographer's Guide to Scotland - Skye, Glen Coe & the Trossachs
For a short YouTube video that ties in directly with this blog - more video and images - please have a look at Dunnotar Castle, Scotland
Any subscriptions to the channel gratefully received - thank you. :-)
Also, I do have a few of my images from Scotland on sale on various products - mugs, prints, stickers, phone covers, cushions and the like - you can see these on Redbubble
That done, back to the real business. We set off from Edinburgh at around 7.30am - was supposed to be earlier, but Little Brother couldn’t get out his scratcher in time. We drove up to Dunnottar, just south of Stonehaven, and had a good run with little traffic. To clarify before we go any further, “little” refers to him being younger than me. Or you could think of it in a “Little John” context. Which would make me Robin Hood and I’m ok with that. I do have that touch of derring-do about me, it has been said. Said by me, mainly.
Background over, on to the photos with a final disclaimer - from the whole trip, these were the images that I was least happy with, so frustrating given the stunning location. But no excuses, they are what they are. Anyway…
An iPhone panorama of the castle - it really is a remarkable location, has a great “Game of Thrones” feel to it. Wikipedia tells me “Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the northeastern coast of Scotland, about 2 miles south of Stonehaven. The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages”
Dunnottar has a good range of notice boards around the site, explaining the history and giving plenty of information around castle life. Indeed, we found good signage around most of the NC500 route.
Myself with a bit of a ruin behind me. And Dunnottar Castle in the background.
The walk leading up to the castle…
After touring the castle (please watch the Youtube video to see what is like when you get there - well worth a visit) we headed a couple of miles north into Stonehaven for breakfast. We parked near the harbour then walked along a beach-side path into the town. Where we found a Greggs. Happy Days indeed!
Stonehaven harbour - a very pretty part of the town…
Nice walk around the sea front into the town for breakfast…
Drove on towards Grantown and caught up with an old mate and a great boss from a previous life. A few beers, good banter and not often I’m the best looking bloke in the room.
Back to the van and some time to chill. Not sure what he was looking at and, with all due consideration, I’d rather it stayed that way…
Supper time - tinned curry, rice and a healthy pouring of cider. Tinned curry - do not knock it, this one came from Sainsbury’s, the Balti version. The big fella wasn’t convinced but he’s now a convert. And for camping/vanning it does the job. (FYI I’m not sponsored by Sainsbury’s, but just in case anyone from there is reading - call me)
Well, that really finished Day 1 - apologies for the quality of the images but do bear with me - they get better as the trip goes on!
In the meantime, stay strong, stay safe, be kind!